100 days until the Italy Olympics: What to expect from the opening ceremonies

(NEXSTAR) - As of Wednesday, the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games are officially 100 days away. Those who have visited Italy or watched coverage of the 2006 Torino games likely expect dramatic backdrops and Italian cultural charm sprinkled throughout the games. And they should. But before the crowds arrive, there is plenty of work still to be done. Only a handful of the estimated 200 members of the Team USA contingent have actually qualified for the games thus far. Curlers will try to punch their tickets next month, and speed skaters will hold trials in early January, to name a few. You can track the formation of the squad on the Team USA website. For the lucky few invited to the Parade of Nations, the 2026 ceremony will be unique. The delegations will feature athletes led by the nationa