- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,553
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Two acrobats perform between two rings at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Michael Kappeler/dpa
The Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics were officially opened on Friday, celebrating Italian history and lifestyle in a first decentralised Games ceremony under the motto "Armonia" (Harmony).
Mariah Carey sang the iconic song Volare in Italian, there was a tribute to famous composers like Giuseppe Verdi and to the late design king Giorgio Armani at the main San Siro stadium venue in Milan.
Pop singer Laura Pausini performed the Italian national anthem while Italian President Sergio Mattarella formally opened the 25th Winter Olympics.
They are a return to the Alps and Italy for the first time since Turin 2006. Cortina also hosted the snow and ice Games in 1956.
Mattarella was introduced in a video suggesting he was arriving at San Siro by tram driven by Italian motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry, a twice swimming gold medallist for Zimbabwe overseeing her first Games since succeeding Thomas Bach last year, told the athletes to "enjoy every second" of the Games.
"You’ll show us what it means to be human. To dream. To overcome. To respect one another. To care for each other. You’ll show us that strength isn’t just about winning – it’s about courage, empathy and
heart," she said.
Coventry added in general terms: "Thank you for believing in the magic of the Olympic Games. The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport.
"Let these Games be a celebration of what unites us – of everything that makes us human. This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be – together."
Organizing committee president Giovanni Malago said: "We stand ready to make Olympic history again, inspired by the values that unite all of us: excellence, friendship and respect.
"I have never been as proud to be Italian as I am tonight."
Some 2,900 athletes from 92 countries are set to compete for 116 gold medals over 16 days until February 22.
The Games are the most spread out and as a result the parade of nations had a new look as it took place at four different locations: Milan, Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo. Some nations had no athletes at all at San Siro.
Germany's male flag bearer Leon Draisaitl was in Milan where the ice hockey tournament is played but the team's female flagbearer, ski-jumper Katharina Schmid, was in Predazzo where her first event is on Saturday night.
Olympic champions Federica Brignone (alpine skiing) and Amos Mosaner (curling) shared the honour for hosts Italy while it was a family affair for Slovenia by ski jumping World Cup leaders Nika and Domen Prevc.
“It is a really special moment. When I first heard about it, I got goosebumps, and when I heard my sister would be with me, it was another level of feeling," Domen Prevc said.
The geopolitical situation could not be ignored when there was a big cheer for the Ukraine team but boos when the athletes from Israel arrived.
Also for the first time, there are two Olympic cauldrons: one at the Arco della Pace in Milan and another at Piazza Dibona in Cortina.
The people to light them are kept secret but Olympic alpine skiing champions Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni appeared to be frontrunners for the prestigious task at the end of the ceremony.
More than 50 heads of state and government were at the San Siro, with the US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Germany was represented by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The Games take place under tight security amid fears of attacks and sabotage. More than 6,000 security personnel will be on duty during the event.
You must be registered for see images attach
Dancers perform at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Peter Kneffel/Pool/PA Wire/dpa
You must be registered for see images attach
Flags of the participating nations seen at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Peter Kneffel/dpa-POOL/dpa
You must be registered for see images attach
US team is led by flag bearer Erin Jackson at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Michael Kappeler/dpa
You must be registered for see images attach
German team is led by flag bearer Leon Draisaitl at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Peter Kneffel/dpa-POOL/dpa
You must be registered for see images attach
German team is led by flag bearer Katharina Schmid at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Daniel Karmann/dpa
You must be registered for see images attach
Dancers perform at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Michael Kappeler/dpa
You must be registered for see images attach
Fireworks illuminated around Olympic Rings at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Continue reading...
