Winter Olympics 2026 closes after setting a new standard for future'

"The Winter Olympics ended as the twin flames in host cities Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo were extinguished during a closing ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena, roughly mid-distance between the far-flung mountain, valley and city venues that made these the most spread-out Winter Games ever. In declaring the 2026 Games over on Sunday, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry told local organisers that they delivered a new kind of Winter Games and you set a new, very high standard for the future."

"A total of 116 medal events were held in eight Olympic sports across 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering this year, over the course of 17 days of competition. With the final events wrapping up just hours before the ceremony, the 50km mass start men's and women's cross-country medals were awarded by Coventry inside the arena. Hosts Italy won their highest Winter Olympic tally of 30 medals, including 10 gold and six silver, surpassing the previous record of 20 medals, set at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994."

"The closing ceremony paid tribute to Italian dance and music, from lyric opera to Italian pop of the 20th century to the DJ beat of Gabry Ponte, who got the 1,500 athletes on their feet and dancing while colourful confetti exploded on stage. Italian artist Achille Lauro delivered the last word with the song Incoscienti Giovani, or reckless young people, just before athletes who had so aptly harnessed their youthful energy for these games filed out."

The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics concluded with a closing ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena, positioned roughly midway between dispersed mountain, valley and city venues. The Games featured 116 medal events across eight sports and 16 disciplines over 17 days, including the debut of ski mountaineering. The final cross-country medals were awarded inside the arena shortly before the ceremony. Hosts Italy achieved their highest Winter Olympic total of 30 medals, including 10 golds. The ceremony celebrated Italian dance and music, and the Olympic flag was handed over to France for the next Winter Games.

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