How Drones Are Reshaping the Olympic Viewing Experience

First-person view UAVs make their Winter Olympic Games debut at Milano Cortina.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

China’s DJI is one of the world’s largest producers of first-person view (FPV) drones, such as this Mavic Air 2. [Credit: Pexels]

Key Takeaways:

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games are introducing First-Person View (FPV) drones for the first time in Winter Olympic broadcasting, aiming to provide viewers with an unprecedented, immersive experience of athletes' performances.
These purpose-built drones enhance broadcast coverage by offering dynamic, high-speed (up to 75 mph), and agile footage from unique angles, capturing precise maneuvers and close-up action beyond traditional cameras.
Despite their innovative capabilities, FPV drones face challenges including potential distraction for athletes, safety concerns from flying in close proximity, audible whirring on broadcasts, and operational limitations in adverse weather conditions.

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According to Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina are ushering in a “new chapter in Olympic broadcasting”—one that includes first-person view (FPV) drones capable of providing “unprecedented immersion into the athletes’ experience.”

If you tuned into events such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, or speed skating during the first few days of the 2026 Games in Italy, you may have seen—or heard—the FPV drones. Milano Cortina marks the Winter Olympics debut of the technology, with about 15 of them bringing viewers closer to the action.