Google has created an interactive Doodle celebrating curling to mark the time remaining until the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Doodle uses winter sports together with Italian cultural elements and northern Italian host regions to give users an interactive way to experience the global sporting event that kicks off on February 6 during the Milano Cortina Games.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22. The games are held in northern Italy in three main areas including Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and additional locations in Valtellina, Val di Fiemme and Anterselva.
Google Doodle creates excitement for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Today’s Google Doodle, titled “The Spirit of the Slopes,” features animated scenes depicting snowy landscapes from northern Italy. The artwork depicts athletes getting ready for winter sports while showcasing Italian culture through Italian regional factories and historic winter equipment design elements from previous Italian-hosted games.
Google has introduced a playable mini-game that users can access through the animation. The users can ski or snowboard through alpine gates in a designed low-poly environment. Players who progress through the game will discover information about the two host cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which enhances their educational experience.
What is curling sport?
Curling is also called chess on ice because of its strategic elements. The game consists of teams moving their polished granite stones on ice towards a target in the shape of a circle called the house.
The teammates use their brooms to create ice conditions, allowing them to control both the speed and path of the stone.
The sport of curling originated in 16th century Scotland, when people started playing it on frozen ponds. The sport first appeared at the Olympic Games at the 1924 Chamonix Games and became a permanent Olympic event from 1998.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will hold their curling matches in Cortina, which already started the preliminary round of the mixed doubles on Wednesday.
