The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games have officially begun, marked by a spectacular opening ceremony that unfolded across four locations.
Milan’s legendary San Siro stadium served as the central stage, with additional segments staged in Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo.
Despite initial concerns about coordinating a multi-location event, the production went smoothly, leaving audiences impressed.
Two Olympic cauldrons were lit, one in Milan, the other in Cortina, accompanied by a stirring performance of Nessun Dorma from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli as the torch entered the San Siro.
The athlete parade concluded with Italy entering last to thunderous applause across all four venues.
In Milan, figure skater Lilah Fear carried the British flag, while in Cortina, bobsledder Brad Hall had the honor.
Beyond Italy, the warmest reception was reserved for Ukrainian athletes, with Team USA also receiving loud cheers.
However, boos greeted the appearance of US Vice President JD Vance on the big screen, along with negative reactions for the Israel and Georgia teams.
Before the parade, creative director Marco Balich presented a ceremony themed on “armonia,” meaning union, connection, and agreement.
His vision aimed to unite territories, people, and values through a shared narrative. Highlights included segments named ‘Italian beauty’ and ‘fantasia,’ alongside a tribute to fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away at 91 in 2025.
American singer Mariah Carey performed Volare in a dazzling white ensemble, adding to the evening’s glitz.
Giovanni Malago, president of the Milan-Cortina 2026 organizing committee, praised the event’s execution.
“We stand ready to make Olympic history again, inspired by the values that unite all of us: excellence, friendship and respect,” he said. “The co-ordination of so many different bodies in the pursuit of one dream has been a powerful expression of this country’s ability to deliver such a complex project. I have never been as proud to be Italian as I am tonight.”
The Games were officially declared open by International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry.
Making history as the first female IOC president to open the Olympics, she addressed the athletes, “This is why we all love the Games. Because through you, we see the very best of ourselves. You remind us that we can be brave. That we can be kind. That we can get back up, no matter how hard we fall. The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport. It is about us – and what makes us human. This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be, together.”
While competitions like curling, figure skating, and ice hockey have already started, the first five gold medals of the Games are set to be awarded on Saturday.
