If there were Olympic Games for singing, Mariah Carey would have a dozen gold medals. As it stands, the award-winning and best-selling artist has still found a way to contribute to the Olympic legacy. Not only will she be performing at the Opening Ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan, her inspiring song “100%” became a Team USA anthem during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
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We don’t know yet what song(s) Carey might perform when she takes the stage at San Siro Stadium on February 6, but “100%” certainly has a special connection to the Winter Olympics and Team USA. For starters, the lyrics perfectly exemplify the mindset of Olympic athletes, with phrases like “To a life that’s defined by limits, I don’t need no permission to live it, I’ma break through the door ’til I get in, Everything that I got, I’ma give it, 100 percent, And I ain’t stopping ’til I reach the finish.” What’s more, the song also helped raise money for Team USA over a decade ago.
Read on to learn all about Carey’s song “100%” and how to watch her perform at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Mariah Carey’s song “100%” benefitted Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics
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Originally written for the soundtrack to the 2009 drama film Precious, in which Carey played social worker Ms. Weiss, “100%” features backing vocals from a Gospel-style choir, lending even more of an inspirational vibe to the already empowering lyrics. And ahead of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the song ultimately found a home on the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack 2010 compilation album, which also featured songs by 3 Doors Down, The All-American Rejects, Hoobastank, and more.
Beyond supporting the Olympic athletes musically as they competed in Vancouver, proceeds from sales of the album were donated to Team USA, AT&T announced in February 2010.
“I am honored to be a part of this effort to support Team USA through this soundtrack,” Carey said in a press release at the time. “The Olympic Winter Games create once-in-a-lifetime moments for the entire world to see. It is truly amazing to watch these first-rate athletes compete and give everything they have to reach new levels of achievement. Their actions provide hope and inspiration for everyone. As artists, we strive to encourage others through our music.”
Mariah Carey will perform at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
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The Olympics announced in December 2025 that Carey is set to take the stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony to help kick off the Milano Cortina Games at San Siro Stadium.
“World-renowned for her voice and musical legacy that spans generations and cultures, Mariah’s career beautifully reflects the main theme of the Opening Ceremony: harmony,” the Olympics wrote on Instagram, while the local planning committee said in a statement that “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games.”
In addition to Carey, spectators can also expect to see performances from Andrea Bocelli, Pierfrancesco Favino, Laura Pausini, and The Paper star Sabrina Impacciatore.
You can catch the Queen of Christmas’s Opening Ceremony performance on Friday, February 6, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock, with primetime coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
