The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games are officially underway after a vibrant opening ceremony split across four locations.
Milan's iconic San Siro stadium served as the primary venue, complemented by festivities in Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo. Despite earlier logistical concerns regarding a multi-location ceremony, the production proceeded smoothly and impressively.
Two Olympic cauldrons were lit—one in Milan and the other in Cortina—while renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli delivered a powerful rendition of Nessun Dorma as the Olympic torch entered San Siro.
The ceremony culminated with a jubilant athlete parade, where the Italian team received an especially enthusiastic welcome in all four locations, alongside cheers for the Ukrainian athletes and Team USA.
Leading the Great Britain contingent was figure skater Lilah Fear in Milan, while bobsledder Brad Hall bore the flag for the team in Cortina.
Concerns about the vice-president of the United States, JD Vance, were evident in the audience's booing when he appeared on the big screen, alongside negative reactions for teams from Israel and Georgia.
Creative director Marco Balich crafted the show around the theme of armonia, which signifies connection and unity. Highlights included segments celebrating 'Italian beauty' and a tribute to the late designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away in 2025.
Mariah Carey, dazzling in a sparkling white outfit, also performed a rendition of Volare, strengthening the ties between culture and sport. Giovanni Malago, president of the organizing committee, expressed pride in Italy’s ability to deliver such a complex project. In a historic moment, Kirsty Coventry, as the first female IOC president, declared the Games open, emphasizing the enduring values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
The Games began with competitions in events such as curling, figure skating, and ice hockey, with the first five gold medals up for grabs on Saturday.
