The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially ended following the closing ceremony in northern Italy.<\/p>\n
It took place at Verona Olympic Arena, despite none of the sporting events happening in the city, which is 75 miles from Milan.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The ‘Drop of Fire’ \u2013 the Olympic flame carried in a small glass vessel \u2013 was brought into the ancient arena to light up the rings before the parade of athletes.<\/p>\n
While athletes are supposed to come in all mixed together, here they were still largely in national groups.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The ceremony finished with performances from popular Italian musicians Major Lazer and singer-songwriter Achille Lauro.<\/p>\n
In her speech to close the Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry said: “You have been incredible \u2013 every one of you. Brave. Fearless. Full of heart and passion. You left it all on the snow and ice.<\/p>\n
“Two unforgettable weeks, living every moment to the fullest. You gave everything \u2013 and you shared it with all of us.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“You showed us that the Olympic Games are a place for everyone. A place where sport brings us together.”<\/p>\n
It ended a Games which saw 116 medal events, and historic sporting success for several of the competing nations \u2013 including Great Britain.<\/p>\n
Team GB won five medals<\/a>, including three golds, to finish 15th in the table. Britain has never previously won more than one gold at a Games before.<\/p>\n Matt Weston, the male flagbearer, won two golds in skeleton \u2013 the men’s event and the team competition with Tabby Stoeker.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Team GB also won silver in the men’s curling, while Zoe Atkin claimed bronze in women’s ski halfpipe on the final day.<\/a><\/p>\n