Home advantage smaller than ever before, but still a factor
Italian women playing a huge role in host’s success
Familiarity with facilities the main reason for Italy’s strong display
History shows negative spillover possible
From Francesca Lollobrigida setting an Olympic record in the women’s 3,000-meter speed skating for Italy’s first gold to alpine skier Federica Brignone winning her second gold medal in three days, this has been Italy’s Winter Olympics in more ways than one. Their haul of 24 medals* is their best ever at the Winter Olympics, with their previous best of 20 coming in Lillehammer over 30 years ago.
But how much of Italy’s success is because they are at home?
Both the US and Canada enjoyed very successful Games when they hosted in 2002 and 2010 respectively. South Korea and China won more medals as hosts than ever before, but historically speaking the concept of home advantage is more complicated.
Carl Singleton is a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Stirling, Scotland, and has written multiple papers analyzing the idea of home advantage at the Olympics. In 2021, he co-authored one looking at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1896 and 2021 and his findings revealed that over the span of the Olympics, home advantage has gradually reduced.
This is logical given the diversity of sports and events has increased, as has competition and participation. There are over 90 countries competing in Italy this month, whereas there were just 16 at the first Winter Olympics back in 1924.
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“If you just look at that long history of the Olympic Games, home advantage now is possibly as small as it’s ever been, even though it’s still obviously quite there and substantial,” Singleton told DW.
Women playing a major role
Italy collected 17 medals in total in Beijing, with two of those being gold. In 2026, on home snow and ice, the Games are not even finished and they have already won 24, including eight golds. The most striking part of their success is the major role played by women.
Singleton’s data shows that in the Winter Olympics, the home advantage between 1988 and 2016 was “around 50% larger in men’s events but non-existent in women’s events.”
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Italy’s women have changed all that, both this year and last. They have already medaled, either as a single athlete or as part of a team, in 16 events this year (four more than at the last Games).
Federica Brignone is one of the faces and names of the Games after winning two gold medalsImage: Spada/LaPresse/IMAGO
“Women’s sports have become much more competitive, more funding, more access,” Singleton said.
“So now you’re maybe seeing the home advantage amplified through the women’s sports matching the home advantage that you might have always or more commonly seen in men’s sports.”
Facility familiarity the major factor
Singleton’s research points to four major factors that influence home advantage – a supportive home crowd, no travel, familiarity with conditions/tracks and favorable refereeing/umpiring bias. And, in 2026, Italy’s marginal gains have most likely been found in their familiarity with the facilities.
Italy have added just two new venues for these Games, the sliding center and the much discussed Santagiulia ice arena.
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“So they’ve got familiarity with everything else, which is great,” said Singleton, highlighting that Italians likely had a chance to practice at the other facilities before any other athletes.
Growing up on this snow combined with being some of the top athletes in the world has been the perfect nudge for these athletes to get onto the podium.
“They’ve maximized the familiarity factor at these Games,” Singleton said.
Support from the home crowd has been a major factor at these Games, helping Italy over the line in some sportsImage: Eric Bolte/Imagn Images/IMAGO
How long-lasting is this success?
While some things are meant to be enjoyed in the moment, there will always be questions asked about the longevity and legacy of such events, especially when such a large amount has been invested. In other words, will there be a spillover performance at the 2030 Winter Olympics in France?
Singleton’s data reveals significant evidence that in the Summer Games, spillovers are real but on average there wasn’t a spillover for the Winter Games.
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In fact, looking at recent hosts more than anything, there appears to be a tendency towards a sharp decline. After China won 15 medals at home in 2022, they have won just five in Milan and Cortina. South Korea went from 17 at home in 2018 to nine in 2022, and have just six this time around. While medals are not necessarily a barometer of whether a country’s sporting development pathways are healthy, they clearly matter to hosts.
The hope is, as always with major sporting events, that both the act of hosting and the success of home athletes will inspire the next generation. However, Singleton believes there isn’t a lot of strong evidence that the Olympics lead to long-lasting participation changes. Indeed, the cost is a big problem for many. It can though, make a difference beyond the numbers.
“I’m a macro economist by trade, and I tell my students all the time, there are many things that we can’t quantify in GDP, that don’t show up in national accounts, and I think these things are valuable,” Singleton said.
“Maybe, you can’t say that it was worth the initial money because it’s hard to make that comparison, but the memories, the experiences and the sense of national pride are important things which don’t show up in a country’s balance sheet. And that’s, to some extent, a big factor as to why certain nations bid for these things as well, because there are intangible benefits of hosting these events,” Singleton said.
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“I think if every country can lose itself for three weeks and sport can develop a shared memory, then that is what is important.”
Italy’s athletes at these Winter Olympics have shown that even if home advantage is smaller than ever, it can be turned into special and memorable performances.
* As of 16:45 CET on February 17, 2026 Edited by: Chuck Penfold
Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) and head coach Steven Pearl leave the court as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 96-92.
If Auburn hopes to extend its streak of four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, it needs leading scorer Keyshawn Hall on the court. It appears that may just be the case come Wednesday.
Hall, who has been indefinitely suspended for undisclosed reasons, was not listed on the SEC availability report for the game, meaning he is expected to face Mississippi State on Wednesday night when the Tigers visit Starkville, Miss.
Auburn (14-11, 5-7 Southeastern Conference) has lost four straight overall and two consecutive road games. The Tigers dropped an 88-75 decision Saturday to Arkansas, a team that coach Steven Pearl’s squad dominated at home last month, 95-73.
Hall (20.7 ppg), Auburn’s leading scorer, had 32 points in that triumph, but he missed Saturday’s loss, as well as the last 12 and a half minutes of an 84-76 setback to Vanderbilt.
“When our guy that’s as good at attacking the paint as anybody in college basketball is not on the floor, it makes our points in the paint go down,” Pearl said. “That was probably the biggest difference, for me.”
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Without Hall, Tahaad Pettitford (29 points, 7 assists) and KeShawn Murphy (career-high 22 points, 12 rebounds) combined to score 30 of Auburn’s 32 first-half points.
Pettitford shot 61.1% (11 of 18) from the field, and Murphy, who posted his fourth double-double, shot 56.3% (9 of 16), but the rest of the team shot just 21.9%.
Mississippi State (12-13, 4-8), which has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of coach Chris Jan’s first three years, has lost 8 of 10, including five straight at home.
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However, the Bulldogs got 32 points and six assists from Josh Hubbard, 18 points and five rebounds from Achor Achor and 12 points and seven rebounds from Jayden Epps in a 90-78 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday.
“I was glad to see the shots going in,” Jans said.
Hubbard, who shot 75% (12 for 16) from the field, was the primary culprit as Mississippi State ended a three-game skid.
“He was getting to create his own angles, his own shots,” Jans said. “He got downhill a couple of times and didn’t get the call, but he was pretty aggressive, and I like when he does that.”
Mick Price’s bid for a third Blue Diamond Stakes looks brighter post-barrier draw for the elite Victorian two-year-old spectacle.
Past victor in the Group 1 juvenile showpiece courtesy of Extreme Choice (2016) and Samaready (2012), Price commits two colts to Caulfield’s 1200m Group 1 on Saturday.
Partnered currently with Michael Kent Jnr, the Cranbourne duo prepares Guest House and Big Sky for barriers three and five in the 16-runner field featuring four standbys.
Without emergencies entering, Guest House draws gate two, Big Sky barrier three adjacent.
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They top the reshuffled wagering post-draw: Big Sky $4 elect, Guest House to $5 from $5.50, followed by first-up winner Closer To Free ($6.50) and Magic Millions 2YO Classic graduate Unit Five ($7).
Price shows preference for Guest House, as Big Sky holds a 2/2 record.
“In all my time of watching races, if something duff’s the start, locks onto the bridle, pulls double, sits there deep, exposed, they run second last, not second,” Price said.
“I couldn’t believe he ran second (in the Prelude) and I thought that was indicative of his capacity at his second start and I thought it was a huge effort.
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“I think if he bounces good, gets his sectionals right and is allowed to get his best sectional in his last 300 (metres), then he’s going to be hard to beat.
“I think it’s a good gate for Big Sky. I think he is a more polite horse.
“Jordan Childs rides him for the first time, and he has a good set of hands.
“I like the way he rides, and I think he will get him pretty right.”
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Price explained Guest House’s raw power overwhelms him, leaving little prep time to mellow the colt pre-Blue Diamond after two outings.
Ideally, equestrian help would suit, but Price trusts race tactics will position him strongly.
This year’s challengers tested the stable more than before, per Price.
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom condemned the American-born Team China Olympic skier Eileen Gu during an interview on Fox News’ “Ingraham Angle” on Tuesday.
“I’m just going to say it, she’s a traitor,” Freedom said. “She was born in America. She was raised in America, lives in America, and chooses to compete against her own country for, literally, the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China. She built her fame in a free country, and then chooses to represent an authoritarian regime.”
Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China attends the awarding ceremony of the freestyle skiing women’s freeski big air event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 16, 2026. (Hongxiang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Gu has never spoken out publicly against China’s alleged human rights abuses, including the nation’s alleged systematic campaign of repression against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, or the jailing of politician Jimmy Lai.
“She chose to play for a country that is literally responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of its own people, and literally running a concentration camp while we’re talking,” Freedom said, comparing Gu’s silence on the issue to LeBron James‘ declining a question about China’s alleged human rights abuses in 2019.
“It’s like a play,” he said. “Whenever the human rights issues are raised about China, they all stop talking about it.”
Gu is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete in the world, making an estimated $23 million in 2025 alone amid partnerships with Chinese companies, including the Bank of China, and western companies. Gu has said she represents China for her mother, who was born there.
China’s Eileen Gu reacts after the second run of the Freestyle Skiing, Women’s Freeski Slopestyle Final at the Livigno Snow Park, during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Gu and Zhu Yi, a fellow American-born figure skater who now competes for China, were paid a combined $6.6 million by the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025 for “striving for excellent results in qualifying for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.” In all, the two were reportedly paid nearly $14 million over the past three years.
Gu has been the subject of global criticism since her decision to represent China dating back to the original decision in 2019, and her first Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022. This year, that criticism has ramped up, as she has won two silver medals and even responded to a question about President Donald Trump criticizing U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess for being critical of the current state of America.
“I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games. It really runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be,” Gu told reporters Monday.
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“The whole point of sport is to bring people together. … One of the very few common languages, that of the human body, that of the human spirit, the competitive spirit, the capacity to break not only records, but especially in our sport, literally the human limit. How wonderful is that?”
Gu also claimed she had been “caught in the crossfire” herself.
“As someone who has got caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,” Gu said. “I hope that they can ski to their very best.”
Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the controversy surrounding Gu in a Tuesday interview on Fox News’ “The Story With Martha MacCallum.”
Ailing Eileen Gu of Team People’s Republic of China competes in run two of the Women’s Freeski Big Air Final on day ten of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 16, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“I have no idea what her status should be, I think that’s ultimately up to the Olympics Committee, I won’t pretend to wade into that,” Vance said.
“I certainly think that someone who grew up in the United States of America who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that makes this country a great place, I would hope they want to compete with the United States of America. So, I’m going to root for American athletes, I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That’s who I’m rooting for in this Olympics.”
Gu has won two silver medals in freestyle skiing in Milan Cortina, in the slopestyle and big air events. She has one final event, the halfpipe, remaining on Saturday, where she has the opportunity to add to her total.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Alex Eala defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 7-6(5) at the Dubai Tennis Championships to reach the round of 16 for the first time.
Eala won the opening set comfortably before facing resistance in the second. She held three match points at 5-3 but was taken into a tiebreak, which she won 7-5 to close the match in straight sets.
The result is Eala’s first top10 win of the 2026 season and the third of her career. It also marks her first appearance in the last 16 in Dubai.
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Speaking after the match, Eala said the tiebreak was challenging. “In the tiebreak I was trying everything to keep myself in check,” she said. “I was thinking about the crowd and how many Filipinos were supporting me.”
She added that the match carried a lot of pressure. “The tension was high, especially in the second set,” Eala said. “She’s a top-10 player and a former champion here. Being able to compete at this level is important for me.”
With the win, Eala becomes the youngest Asian woman to record top10 victories in multiple WTA 1000 events.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has reached a critical juncture. A win against Namibia in their final league fixture on Wednesday is non-negotiable if Salman Agha’s men are to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. Anything less, and their tournament ends prematurely.The pressure has mounted quickly. After bold claims that this was a stronger outfit than the one that faltered against India in the Asia Cup, Pakistan suffered a familiar 61-run defeat on Sunday. While their clashes with India in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups were tight, they still fell short. Since the Asia Cup, India have now registered four comfortable wins on the trot, reinforcing Pakistan’s struggles in marquee encounters.
What will Team India do today in Ahmedabad? Practice timing, Playing XI, press conference and more
Scrutiny has intensified around senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen failed to control the game in the PowerPlay or at the death, returning figures of 1 for 31 in two overs. Babar’s issues against spin continue to surface — his strike-rate against spin since returning to the T20I side stands at 101.70 — raising questions about balance and intent in the middle order.Selection dilemmas loom. Salman Mirza and Fakhar Zaman are in contention should the management opt for changes. Pakistan’s heavy reliance on spin — 13, 16 and 18 overs across three games — also reflects a side still searching for the right combination.Namibia, though eliminated, are not without motivation. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon as co-hosts, they are keen to gather momentum. For Pakistan, though, the equation is simple: win or go home.In the other fixture, India face the Netherlands in the night game. Having already secured qualification for the Super 8s with three wins from three matches, India will view this contest as an opportunity to fine-tune combinations and tick a few remaining boxes.Abhishek Sharma is yet to get going in this T20 World Cup, and the team management will be keen for their No. 1 batter to spend valuable time at the crease ahead of the knockout stage. Getting runs under his belt could prove crucial in the business end of the tournament.There could also be changes in the bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav might make way for Arshdeep Singh, who was included as an extra spinner against Pakistan. With qualification already secured, India may use this match to test their bench strength and settle on the most balanced XI for the Super 8s.
Today T20 World Cup matches – Tuesday, 18 February
The Nesa XSignal can improve cognitive function by 35 per cent / Shutterstock_People Images
Venn Healthcare is distributing a system which can reset the central nervous system
The Nesa XSignal stimulates the nerve pathways with microcurrents that are imperceptible to the user
Trials show benefits to sleep quality, digestive issues, chronic pain and overactive bladders
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It is being offered by many health providers and The Lanserhof at the Arts Club
With increasing conversation around the negative health impact of a dysregulated nervous system the Nesa XSignal is providing a solution that is fast gaining traction in clinics.
A number of consumer devices are now coming to market which work on stimulating the vagus nerve via an ear clip, including Yoyo, Sona and Nurosym. However a solution is now available from Venn Healthcare, the Nesa XSignal, which can deliver a full nervous system reset, bringing the two sides of the nervous system – the parasympathetic and sympathetic – into balance offering significant health benefits.
Low-frequency microcurrents stimulate nerve pathways of the peripheral autonomic nervous system, to reboot the central nervous system. Imperceptible to the user, the treatment has no side effects. It is delivered via a few electrodes which are attached to gloves and socks. A course of 10 to 12 treatments is recommended and delivered over a few weeks for the best results.
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Trials show the treatment can improve sleep quality by 40 per cent; reduce pain perception by 60 per cent; improve quality of life by 66 per cent; improve intestinal problems by 30 per cent and cognitive function by 35 per cent. It can also address an overactive bladder and reduce episodes of urinary incontinence by 60 per cent.
The UK distributor is Venn Healthcare and spokesperson, Jenny Torney, says the company is receiving interest from many types of health providers – physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, sports therapists and MSK clinicians. “If you’ve got a problem with your Achilles tendon and your body’s in fight or flight, you’re not going to be able to respond to treatment unless the nervous system overdrive is addressed,” she says.
The treatment has been embraced by premiership football clubs in the UK and Spain to help athletes focus before matches and to sleep after coming off the pitch late at night. The Lanserhof at the Arts Club in London is also using it to help their high-achieving clients who frequently suffer from burnout.
Cornwall Physio in St Austell is the first place in the south west to offer the Nesa XSignal. “It ties in perfectly with our functional medicine and longevity-focused offering,” says owner, Lou Nicholettos. “It is appealing to a lot of our clients who are coming because of chronic pain, as well as people who just want to take control of their own health from a longevity point of view.”
Six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will compete under their national flags at the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in policy following years of restrictions linked to the war in Ukraine.
Alyssa Liu is Team USA’s last hope for an individual gold medal in figure skating at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Liu, the reigning world champion, was the only one of America’s women’s figure skating stars to put herself in contention for gold after the short program on Tuesday night.
Liu landed a triple Lutz-triple loop, the hardest combination that any woman attempted, and sat only two points back of leader Ami Nakai and right behind her Japanese teammate Kaori Sakamoto on the leaderboard.
Alysa Liu of the United States performs her routine during the Figure Skating, Women’s Singles Skating, Short Program at the Milano Ice Skating Arena at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026 on February 17th, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Tim Clayton/Getty Images)
“I am really happy about how I skated,” Liu said after the competition. “And my siblings, my best friends and a ton of my family is out there. And I saw them on the warmup. I also saw them during my program, so, I don’t know. It was a really cool moment, because they never come to watch like this. I’m really glad I did super well. I felt super grounded and I connected with my program on another level.”
Fellow American women’s skater Amber Glenn finished 13th, falling just one spot short of advancing. Glenn was seen walking off the ice in tears.
Alysa Liu poses for a photo following the 2026 Milan Olympics figure skating team announcement show at Enterprise Center on Jan. 11, 2026.(Jeff Curry/Imagn Images)
Isabeau Levito was dinged for under-rotating her triple loop and got leveled down for her step sequence, which is where she tends to pick up points on the competition. It left her in eighth place and a long shot to climb her way onto the podium Thursday night.
Read More About The 2026 Winter Olympics
Other American skating stars have seen similar disappointing individual results in Milan Cortina after the U.S. took team gold last week.
Alysa Liu of Team United States competes during the Women’s Single Skating – Short Program on day eleven of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Skating power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates were left with silver in ice dance thanks in part to some questionable scoring by a French judge. Meanwhile two-time world champion and Olympic favorite Ilia Malinin shockingly crashed out of the men’s free skate after falling twice during the men’s final on Friday, finishing in eighth place.
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Now, all the pressure is on Liu to ensure Team USA doesn’t have to head home without an individual gold in figure skating.
“I don’t think about stuff like that,” Liu said when asked if she can beat the Japanese rivals. “Whether I beat them or not is not my goal. My goal is just to do my programs and share my story and I don’t need to be over or under anyone to do that.”
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Paris Saint-Germain rallied from two goals down to beat Monaco 3-2 on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off. Folarin Balogun struck twice early for Monaco, but Desire Doue inspired a PSG comeback at Stade Louis II to seize the advantage in the tie.
On Saturday night, Ryan Garcia attempts to finally get his hands on a world title as he challenges Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight crown. Ahead of the action, four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has revealed his prediction.
Garcia was set to challenge Devin Haney for the WBC super-lightweight title back in 2024 until he missed the weight and consequently, the opportunity to win the belt, but he still went ahead with the fight.
To the surprise of many, ‘King Ry’ went on to pull off the upset win and hand Devin Haney a first career defeat, but only temporarily.
Controversially, upon his return, Garcia was granted an immediate world title shot for the WBA regular welterweight belt against Rolando Romero, but once again the Californian was unable to get his hands on the title – this time losing via unanimous decision.
This weekend, Garcia gets another opportunity to claim world honours, tasked with what some fans believe to be low-hanging fruit in Barrios and, on ‘Inside The Ring’, Stevenson predicted a win for the challenger.
“Ryan. Decision”
Stevenson also welcomed a possible meeting with Garcia down the line, accepting Garcia’s offer of a proposed 144lb catchweight contest.
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“I love the fight, I think that is perfect. There would be a lot of excitement for that fight, it’s a big money fight. Ryan Garcia is somebody that comes in there and you never know which version of him is going to show up.
“If the good version of him shows up, he gets spanked. If the bad version of him shows up, he gets spanked. Either way, he don’t stand a chance.”
However, despite making the offer, it is unlikely that ‘King Ry’ will be able to make 144lbs, with Stevenson likely needing to move up to welterweight in order to make that fight happen.
