The uniqueness of this opening ceremony lies in the fact that it took place simultaneously in four cities: Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno. This allowed athletes to attend events in the locations where they will be competing.
The opening script was prepared by Balich Wonder Studio, and its founder Marco Balich has previously produced 14 Olympic ceremonies.
At the San Siro stadium, the performance reflected Italy's historical and cultural heritage and its uniqueness. The Olympic flame was lit in two cauldrons: in Milan, the torchbearers were famous skiers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, while in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the honor went to skier Sofia Goggia.
In the final part of the event, the chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2026 Games, Giovanni Malagò, and the head of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, who marked her first significant moment in her new position, delivered welcoming speeches. The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, officially declared the Games open.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 6 to 22, while the Winter Paralympic Games will be held from March 6 to 15. A total of 2,871 athletes from 93 countries will compete for 116 sets of medals in 16 disciplines.
