Winter Olympics 2026 concludes with high praise from the international community

Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo Host Closing Ceremony of Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics came to a close at the ancient Verona Arena, marking the end of the twin-hosting model that saw events spread across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry declared the games over, stating that local organisers had “delivered a new kind of Winter Games” and set a high standard for future events.

The next Winter Olympics will be held in France, with the official handover ceremony taking place earlier in the day. The 2030 Winter Games are scheduled to take place in the Alps and Nice, with speed skating events to be held in either Italy or the Netherlands.

A total of 116 medal events were held across eight Olympic sports and 16 disciplines over 17 days of competition. Italian athletes won their highest Winter Olympic tally of 30 medals, surpassing the previous record set at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.

The closing ceremony featured a tribute to Italian dance and music, with performances ranging from lyric opera to Italian pop and DJ beats. The event concluded with the Olympic flames being extinguished at two cauldrons in Milan and Cortina, viewed via videolink in Verona. A light show replaced fireworks, which are not allowed in Verona due to animal welfare concerns.

The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics took place over an area of 22,000 square kilometers, with events held across various venues including ice sports in Milan, biathlon in Anterselva, and cross-country skiing in the Val di Fiemme. The closing ceremony marked the end of a unique hosting model that saw athletes from around the world compete in a spread-out format.

Source: Al Jazeera