Closing Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics: Milan-Cortina Closing in Verona

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially concluded after the closing ceremony in northern Italy.

The match was played in Verona’s Olympic Arena, although none of the sporting events were being held in the city, which is 75 miles from Milan.

After beginning with a tribute to classic Italian opera, flag bearers representing the 92 competing nations entered the stadium with large props of Aida accompanied by a tribute to Italian film music.

A “drop of fire” – the Olympic flame carried in a small glass bowl – was brought to the ancient arena to light the rings before the athletes’ procession.

While athletes are supposed to come mixed together, here they were still largely in national groups.

The final medals from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games in the women’s and men’s 50km cross-country skiing events were distributed, before Games volunteers were honoured.

The concert concluded with performances by famous Italian musicians Major Lazer and singer-songwriter Achille Lauro.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said in her closing remarks: “You were amazing – every single one of you. Brave. Courageous. Full of heart and passion. You left it all on the snow and ice.

“Two unforgettable weeks, we lived every moment to the fullest. You gave everything – and shared it with all of us.

“This is the true Olympic spirit: competing, embracing, and lifting each other up, no matter the outcome. You have shown us what excellence, respect and friendship look like in a world that sometimes forgets these values.

“You showed us that the Olympics are a place for everyone. A place where sport brings us together.”

It ended a Games that featured 116 medal events, a historic sporting success for many of the competing nations – including Great Britain.

Team GB won five medals, including three golds, to finish 15th in the table. Britain has never won more than one gold at a Games before.

Matt Weston, the male flag bearer, won two golds in the skeleton – the men’s event and the team event with Tabby Stoecker.

GB’s flag bearer was Charlotte Banks, who won gold in the snowboarding team with Huw Nightingale; This was the first Olympic snowboard event won by British athletes.

Team GB also won silver in men’s curling, while Zoe Atkin took bronze in women’s halfpipe skating on the final day.

Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the men’s giant slalom title to mark the first Winter Olympic gold won by a South American country.