The ancient amphitheater in Verona, built almost 2,000 years ago, became the venue for the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics-2026 // Photo: gettyimages.com
About 12,000 people watched the ceremony held under the motto “Beauty in Action” from the stands. The parade was attended by 1,500 athletes out of 2,900 athletes who competed at the Olympics.
Opera and sport
The ceremony lasted two and a half hours. The organizers emphasized classical music, especially opera. The participants of the ceremony were the heroes of the operas “Aida” and “Rigoletto” by Giueppe Verdi, who soon started looking for Olympians.
When the athletes were “found”, the flag bearers with the flags of their countries paraded through the amphitheater, followed by the rest of the competitors. The flag of Moldova was carried by skier Iulian Lukin, a debutant of the Games.
The parade was followed by performances by singer Achille Lauro, ballet dancer Roberto Bolle, DJ Gabri Ponte and other Italian cultural figures.
Fireworks are banned
Due to the fireworks ban in Verona, the ceremony featured a colorful light show, after which International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry addressed the athletes and spectators. Also present on stage were Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the heads of the host cities of the past Games – Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Doubly solemn
The Olympic flame was extinguished to the music of Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi. The flame was brought to Verona from Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where it burned for 17 days. For the first time in the history of the Winter Games, the flame burned simultaneously in two Olympic capitals.
During the 16 days of competition at the Olympics, 116 sets of medals were awarded in eight sports (16 disciplines).
The next Winter Olympics in 2030 will be hosted by the French Alps. The decision was made at the IOC session on July 24, 2024.
