This children’s article, The Winter Olympics explained for kids, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about world sport, and understand how large international competitions work. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
What are the Winter Olympics?
The Winter Olympics are one of the biggest sports events in the world. Athletes from many countries come together to compete in sports that take place on snow and ice. These include skiing, ice skating, ice hockey, bobsleigh, and snowboarding.
The Winter Olympics are held every four years. Just like the Summer Olympics, they bring together the best athletes from around the world. Competitors train for many years to take part, and for some, it is the biggest moment of their lives.
A short history of the Winter Olympics
The first Winter Olympics were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. At that time, only 16 countries took part, and there were far fewer sports than there are today. Events mainly focused on skiing, skating, and ice hockey.
Over the years, the Winter Olympics have grown much bigger. New sports have been added, such as freestyle skiing, snowboard cross, and short-track speed skating. Today, more than 90 countries compete, and millions of people watch the events on television and online.
Milan and Cortina are hosting the 2026 Winter Games
The 2026 Winter Olympics are being hosted by Italy, mainly in the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, along with other towns in northern Italy. Instead of one single Olympic park, the events are spread across several regions.
Ice sports like figure skating and ice hockey will take place in modern arenas in Milan. Snow sports such as alpine skiing, ski jumping, and snowboarding will be held in mountain areas like Cortina, Val di Fiemme, and Livigno. These places are famous for their beautiful mountains and snowy landscapes.
What happened at the last Winter Olympics?
The last Winter Olympics were held in Beijing, China, in 2022. Norway finished at the top of the medal table, winning the most medals overall. Germany and China also performed very well, especially in skiing, sliding sports, and ice events.
Many young athletes became stars during these Games, and several world records were broken. Sports like snowboard big air and short-track speed skating were especially exciting for viewers.
What to look out for this time
This year’s Winter Olympics will feature both classic and modern events. Popular sports like figure skating, downhill skiing, and ice hockey will once again attract huge crowds. Newer and fast-paced events, such as snowboard slopestyle and mixed-team competitions, are also expected to be very exciting.
Fans will be watching to see which country tops the medal table and which athletes become new heroes. With better technology, faster equipment, and improved training, many experts believe we could see even more records broken.
Article vocabulary list
- Athletes – people who train and compete in sports
- Compete – to try to win against others
- Events – organised sports competitions
- Regions – different areas of a country
- Medal table – a list showing how many medals each country wins
- Arenas – large buildings where sports events take place
- Landscape – the natural scenery of an area
- Records – the best results ever achieved in a sport
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. When were the first Winter Olympics held?
A) 1904
B) 1924
C) 1948
Answer: B) 1924
2. Which country finished top of the medal table in 2022?
A) Norway
B) China
C) Germany
Answer: A) Norway
3. Which city will host many of the ice events in 2026?
A) Rome
B) Venice
C) Milan
Answer: C) Milan
4. Which type of sport takes place on snow?
A) Ice hockey
B) Alpine skiing
C) Figure skating
Answer: B) Alpine skiing
5. Why do many people enjoy watching the Winter Olympics?
A) Because it only happens every year
B) Because it shows famous cities
C) Because the sports are exciting, and athletes break records
Answer: C) Because the sports are exciting, and athletes break records
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
