The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics closed with a moment that perfectly matched the shape of these Games: two Olympic cauldrons—one in Milan and one in Cortina d’Ampezzo—were extinguished, officially ending the most geographically spread-out Winter Olympics ever.
Instead of finishing in a modern stadium, the Games wrapped inside the ancient Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater that turned closing night into a mix of history, spectacle, and emotion—an ending that felt distinctly Italian.
A closing ceremony built on Italian culture, not just fireworks
In front of about 12,000 spectators (including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni), Verona’s arena became a stage for a fast-moving celebration of Italian performance: lyric opera, pop, dance, and modern production.
Highlights included appearances by famed dancer Roberto Bolle and musician Achille Lauro, while the show leaned heavily into the idea that these Olympics weren’t confined to one city—they were stitched across mountains, valleys, and urban Italy.
Notably, organizers chose a light show instead of fireworks, a decision framed as a way to protect local wildlife—an “eco-aware” touch that still delivered the finale energy people expect.
The signature image of these Games: twin flames
Milan–Cortina’s closing story was always going to be about distance and connection. The twin cauldrons became the symbol of that identity—two hosts, two hearts, one Olympics.
That symbolism carried into the final moments, with the Olympic flame presented in a Venetian glass vessel before the ceremonial extinguishing—an elegant, unmistakably local detail.
A Games of scale: 116 events, a new sport, and a host-nation high
Over 17 days, athletes competed in 116 medal events across eight sports, including the debut of ski mountaineering—a nod to the Alps and to where winter sport is heading next.
For Italy, the closing night landed with extra pride: the host nation delivered its best Winter Olympics performance ever, finishing with 30 medals.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry praised the organizers, calling the Games a new benchmark—high praise for an Olympics that had to function across a vast footprint.
The handoff: next stop, the French Alps
As the music faded and the arena lights shifted, the Games did what they always do at the end: they pointed forward. The Olympic flag was passed to France, setting the stage for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
And for Italy, the story isn’t over yet. The focus now turns to the Paralympics, beginning March 6, bringing the Olympic spirit back to the same landscapes—this time with a new set of athletes at the center.
The takeaway
Milan–Cortina didn’t end with one city claiming the spotlight. It ended with a reminder of what made these Games different: a winter Olympics stretched wide across Italy, sealed shut in a Roman arena, and closed with two flames going out—together.
