The Olympic anthem, first performed at the 1896 Athens Games, was featured at the 2026 Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony. Here’s the history behind the song. (AP photo)

Whenever the Americans score, 'Free Bird' echoes throughout the arena.

Find out the history of the Olympics anthem you may not know.

MILAN (AP) — Russian athletes will compete under their own flag at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade, and the country's national anthem will be played for any gold medalists. Tuesday's announcement stands as another indicator that Russia and its national identity will be fully restored in Olympic circles well ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

There's just a few days left in the 2026 Winter Olympics, and plenty of medals to hand out before the closing ceremony on February 22. Take a look at today's top highlights from Milan Cortina:

For the first time in the history of the Winter Olympics, an athlete from South America has heard their anthem played during a medal ceremony.

A near-flawless long program vaulted Liu ahead of two Japanese rivals for the first Olympic figure skating title by an American woman in two dozen years.