The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially ended following the closing ceremony in northern Italy.
It took place at Verona Olympic Arena, despite none of the sporting events happening in the city, which is 75 miles from Milan.
After beginning with a tribute to classic Italian opera, flagbearers representing the 92 competing nations entered the stadium through large props from Aida and accompanied by a tribute to Italian film music.
The ‘Drop of Fire’ – the Olympic flame carried in a small glass vessel – was brought into the ancient arena to light up the rings before the parade of athletes.
While athletes are supposed to come in all mixed together, here they were still largely in national groups.
The final medals from Milan-Cortina 2026 were awarded in the women’s and men’s 50km mass start cross-country skiing events, before a tribute to the Games volunteers.
The ceremony finished with performances from popular Italian musicians Major Lazer and singer-songwriter Achille Lauro.
In her speech to close the Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry said: “You have been incredible – every one of you. Brave. Fearless. Full of heart and passion. You left it all on the snow and ice.
“Two unforgettable weeks, living every moment to the fullest. You gave everything – and you shared it with all of us.
“This is the true Olympic spirit: competing, embracing, lifting each other up, whatever the result. You showed us what excellence, respect, and friendship look like in a world that sometimes forgets these values.
“You showed us that the Olympic Games are a place for everyone. A place where sport brings us together.”
It ended a Games which saw 116 medal events, and historic sporting success for several of the competing nations – including Great Britain.
Team GB won five medals, including three golds, to finish 15th in the table. Britain has never previously won more than one gold at a Games before.
Matt Weston, the male flagbearer, won two golds in skeleton – the men’s event and the team competition with Tabby Stoeker.
The female GB flagbearer was Charlotte Bankes, who won gold in the team snowboard cross with Huw Nightingale; it was the first Olympic event on snow won by British athletes.
Team GB also won silver in the men’s curling, while Zoe Atkin claimed bronze in women’s ski halfpipe on the final day.
Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen took the men’s giant slalom title to register a first Winter Olympic gold won by a South American nation.
