Verona, Italy – The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are drawing to a close, and Italy is celebrating its most successful Winter Games ever. As the closing ceremony approaches on Sunday at the Verona Arena, biathlete Lisa Vittozzi and speed skater Davide Ghiotto have been selected as the flag-bearers, a testament to the Azzurri’s remarkable performance.
Vittozzi, 31, etched her name into Italian Olympic history by winning the women’s 10km pursuit, securing Italy’s first individual biathlon Olympic gold. She also contributed to a silver medal in the mixed relay event. Ghiotto, 32, was a key member of the men’s speed skating team pursuit squad, alongside Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti, which claimed gold. Their selection as flag-bearers recognizes not only their individual achievements but also the collective success of the Italian team.
With three days of competition remaining, Italy has already surpassed its previous best Winter Olympics medal haul, achieved at Lillehammer in 1994. The current tally stands at an impressive 26 medals, including nine golds. This remarkable showing has ignited national pride and underscored the growing strength of Italian winter sports.
The atmosphere surrounding the closing ceremony is a mix of excitement and logistical complexity. Preparations are underway for a spectacle intended to showcase Italian art and music, dubbed “Beauty in Action.” However, rehearsals on Friday night revealed some uncertainty about the event’s impact. A mock speaker practiced a farewell message, while the arena was sealed off with barriers and filled with the sound of music. Observers present at the rehearsal expressed reservations, with one attendee noting, “With Roberto Bolle it will be something else. But I liked the show in Milan better.”
Organizers are deploying significant resources to ensure a smooth and secure event, with 500 cameras positioned by Rai and the Prefettura to capture the ceremony for an anticipated global audience of two billion viewers. Security measures are extensive, including a heavy military presence and aerial surveillance, in anticipation of potential protests. Groups planning demonstrations against the Games, citing concerns about sustainability, injustice, and militarization, are expected to be kept at a distance from the main event.
The impact of the Games extends beyond the medal count. The city of Verona, while benefiting from the influx of tourists, has also experienced disruptions. Hotels have commanded exorbitant prices, reaching as high as 1,200 euros per night, and many local residents have opted to leave the city to avoid the congestion. This pattern of dispersed events and fluctuating attendance was a characteristic of these Games, with venues like Bormio experiencing periods of relative emptiness despite the overall success of the competition.
The geopolitical context of the Milano Cortina Games has also been notable, with protests related to the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel adding another layer of complexity. The absence of French President Emmanuel Macron, who declined to attend and did not send a representative, has been particularly observed. This decision comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions and raises questions about the future of the Games’ handover ceremony.
Despite these challenges, the closing ceremony promises a grand finale, featuring performances by renowned artists such as Achille Lauro, Benedetta Porcaroli, Gabry Ponte, and the Major Lazer group, alongside the presence of ballet star Roberto Bolle. The ceremony will also honor the 1,400 athletes who participated in the Games, providing a platform to celebrate their achievements, and contributions. As Italy prepares to pass the Olympic torch to France, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be remembered as a resounding success, marked by record-breaking performances, national pride, and a complex interplay of sporting, political, and cultural forces.
