In the magnificent atmosphere of the nearly 2,000-year-old Arena di Verona, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games concluded. The "Beauty in Action" ceremony combined operatic tradition, dance, film, design and modern electronics: from Verdi's La Traviata to techno rhythms, creating a moving cultural finale to the sporting spectacle.

The Arena di Verona, used for the first time in Games history within a UNESCO monument, was the stage for performances by Roberto Bolle, Gabry Ponte, Achille Lauro, Benedetta Porcaroli and Major Lazer, while ballet, pop and the electronic scene filled the night.

The Italian relay from Lillehammer 1994 brought the Olympic flame in a Murano ampoule; Maurilio De Zolt, Marco Albarello, Giorgio Vanzetta and Silvio Fauner raised the “Drop of Fire” and lit the Olympic rings. Athletes entered by delegations and then mingled in the spirit of friendship and togetherness. Greece led the flag parade, France, the host for 2030, was penultimate, and Italy entered last.

Norway was the most successful delegation with a total of 41 medals (18 gold, 12 silver, 11 bronze). The USA was second with 33 medals (12-12-9), and the Netherlands third with 20 (10-7-3). Johannes Høsflot Klæbo emerged as the absolute star of the Games—he shone with as many as six gold medals and received the final gold after the 50 km. Of the former Yugoslav countries, only Slovenia won medals: two gold, one silver and one bronze. Of 92 participating countries, only 29 won at least one medal.

The Olympic flag was lowered to the anthem, handed to IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who presented the flag to representatives of the French Alps. In an emotional speech Coventry said:

“My dear friends, I now declare the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games closed.”

The flame was symbolically extinguished simultaneously in Milan and Cortina, while the Olympic flame will burn again on March 6 for the start of the Paralympic Games, which run until March 15.

The evening was a celebration of the beauty of sport in motion, art and unity, and thus Milano Cortina 2026 was closed, with thousands of hearts beating as one under the Verona sky.