By Janina Nuno Rios MILAN, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Canada's Valerie Maltais said being pushed by Italian Francesca Lollobrigida helped her stay focused as she skated to the podium in the women's 3,000 metres at the Milano Cortina Games on Saturday.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on Friday night. The 2026 Games, held in Italy, will open this weekend. The Opening Ceremonies are set to air in primetime on NBC on Friday evening. The multi-week games will take place over much of February.

U.S. speedskater Greta Myers made her Olympic debut in the women’s 3000m on Saturday and finished with a time of 4:13.46.

Olympic speed skater Erin Jackson can add another honor to her 13 World Championship medals and a gold in the women’s 500-meter at the 2022 Beijing Olympics—Team USA’s flag bearer for the U.S. delegation at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. She will share the honor with Frank Del Duca, a bobsled Olympian.

Team Canada looks to finish Day 1 strong after earning its first medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics