English Learning: Winter Olympics 2026 Preparation

Dialogue

Current Situation

The XXV Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, are scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026, across the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Preparations are in full swing, with significant infrastructure projects underway for new and renovated venues. A strong emphasis is being placed on sustainability, aiming to host a Games that minimizes environmental impact and leaves a lasting positive legacy for the regions involved. While progress is being made on venue construction and organizational planning, the organizing committee faces challenges, including budget management and ensuring all projects are completed on schedule. The anticipation for the first Winter Games hosted by Italy in 20 years (since Turin 2006) is building, with the official mascots, Tina and Milo, already unveiled.

Key Phrases

• Gear up for (something): To prepare for something; to get ready.

  The athletes are already gearing up for the next Olympics.

• In full swing: At the peak of activity; fully operational.

  Preparations for the festival are in full swing.

• Under construction: Being built or repaired.

  The new stadium is still under construction.

• Sustainability efforts: Actions taken to protect the environment and natural resources.

  The company is praised for its sustainability efforts.

• Anticipation is building: A feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen is increasing.

  The anticipation is building for the movie’s premiere.

• Pull off (something): To succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected.

  We hope they can pull off a spectacular opening ceremony.

• Couch potato: A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.

  After a long week, I just want to be a couch potato all weekend.

• Wouldn’t mind (doing something): To want to do something; to be happy to do something.

  I wouldn’t mind a slice of pizza right now.

Grammar Points

Let’s look at how we talk about future events and ongoing actions related to the Olympics.

1. Future Tense (will / be going to / Present Continuous for Future)

   We use different forms to talk about future events:

   • Will + Base Verb:
     • For predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises, or facts about the future.
     • Example (Prediction): “Do you think they‘ll manage to pull off something…?”
     • Example (Fact): “The event will attract thousands of tourists.”
   • Be going to + Base Verb:
     • For plans or intentions, or predictions based on present evidence.
     • Example (Intention/Plan): “It’s going to be a huge event for Italy.”
     • Example (Evidence): “Look at those dark clouds; it’s going to rain.”
   • Present Continuous for Future:
     • For definite arrangements or scheduled events in the near future.
     • Example: “Milan and Cortina are really gearing up for it.” (The preparation is an ongoing arrangement)
     • Example: “The Olympics are taking place from February 6th to 22nd, 2026.”
2. Present Perfect Continuous (has/have been -ing)

   Used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up to the present moment, often emphasizing the duration of the action.

   • Example: “The organizing committee has been working tirelessly on the venues for months.” (They started in the past and are still working now).
3. Conditional Sentences (Type 1)

   Used to talk about a real or possible situation in the future (if + present simple, will + base verb).

   • Structure: If + [present simple], [will + base form of verb].
   • Example: “I hope they manage to finish everything on time.” (Implied conditional: If they manage to finish on time, it will be great.)
   • Direct Example: “If it snows enough, the ski events will be spectacular.”

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the Blanks (Key Phrases)

1. The organizing committee is really ___________ the opening ceremony.
2. Many venues are still ___________ and need to be ready by 2026.
3. He’s such a ___________, he never leaves the sofa on weekends.
4. After seeing the trailers, the ___________ for the movie is ___________.

2. Choose the Correct Tense (Grammar – Future Tense)

1. The Olympics (take / will take / are taking) place in February 2026.
2. I think it (is / will be / is being) a fantastic event.
3. They (are going to build / will build / build) a new ice rink for the speed skating. (Based on a plan/intention)
4. We (are watching / will watch / watch) the opening ceremony live. (Spontaneous decision or prediction of an action)

3. Sentence Transformation (Grammar – Conditional Type 1)

Rewrite the following sentences using a Type 1 Conditional structure (If + Present Simple, Will + Base Verb).

1. They might have problems if they don’t complete the venues soon.
2. It will be a success only if many people attend.