Olympics-Figure skating-U.S. skaters embrace village buzz after Beijing's COVID bubble

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics - Figure Skating - United States team press conference - Main Press Centre, Milan, Italy - February 4, 2026 Madison Chock of United States and Evan Bates of United States during the press conference REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

MILAN, Feb 4 (Reuters) - U.S. figure ‌skaters at the Milano Cortina Olympics said they are savouring a more normal Games than ‌Beijing in 2022, when COVID-19 restrictions kept families away and muted the atmosphere.

Veteran ice dancers Madison ‌Chock and Evan Bates, competing at their fourth Olympics together, said the buzz around the venue and athlete village, from pin trading to casual meals with teammates from other sports, has brought back the Olympic magic.