MILAN – The 2026 Winter Olympics officially commenced , but in a manner unlike any previous Games. A sprawling, four-site opening ceremony, replete with tributes to Italian culture and featuring a performance by Mariah Carey, marked the start of the Milan Cortina Games. However, the unprecedented logistical approach also led to a curious scene at the San Siro stadium in Milan: the first five countries announced in the Parade of Nations – Greece, Albania, Andorra, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina – were represented only by signs, not athletes.
The decision to spread the opening ceremony across multiple locations – Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo – was intended to showcase the breadth of the Games and bring the event closer to the mountain venues. Athletes participating in sports held in those locations were given the option to participate in festivities at those sites, resulting in an empty parade route for the initial nations at the San Siro.
While the absence of athletes from those countries raised eyebrows, the ceremony itself was a lavish display of Italian artistry, and heritage. Performances paid homage to figures like da Vinci, Dante, Puccini, and Fellini, alongside iconic elements of Italian life – pasta, wine, and fashion. Carey’s rendition of “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” (aka “Volare”) drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd of over 61,000 in attendance.
The first athletes to actually march into the San Siro were those representing Armenia, receiving a warm reception from the crowd. Later, the entrance of the Israeli delegation was met with a mix of cheers and boos, a reflection of the ongoing geopolitical tensions and calls for Israel’s exclusion from the Games due to the conflict in Gaza. The ceremony’s organizers had expressed hope for a message of peace and unity, but the reaction to Israel’s participation underscored the challenges of separating sport from politics.
A notable moment occurred when US Vice President JD Vance appeared on the arena’s video boards, prompting boos from a segment of the audience. This reaction appears to stem from growing international criticism of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, including trade tariffs and military actions. Conversely, the Venezuelan contingent received strong support, as did the team from Ukraine, a nation currently facing a full-scale invasion from Russia.
The ceremony’s themes of harmony and peace were further emphasized by messages delivered by South African actor Charlize Theron and Italian rapper Ghali. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry acknowledged the potential for varied crowd reactions and expressed hope that the event would be viewed as an opportunity for respect.
The culmination of the ceremony involved the lighting of two cauldrons, a symbolic gesture referencing Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric studies. One cauldron was lit at the Arch of Peace in Milan, while the other was ignited in Cortina, approximately 400km away. Olympic champion Alpine ski racers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni lit the cauldron in Milan, while Sofia Goggia, a current competitor, had the honor in Cortina.
The Games themselves are the most geographically dispersed Winter Olympics in history, encompassing a vast area of over 22,000 square kilometers – roughly the size of New Jersey. This expansive footprint necessitated the multi-site opening ceremony, allowing athletes competing in mountain sports to participate in the festivities without undertaking lengthy travel to Milan. The ceremony concluded nearly three hours after it began, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella officially declaring the Milan Cortina Games open following remarks from President Coventry.
As tenor Andrea Bocelli performed Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma,” the torchbearers embarked on their journey to light the cauldrons, signaling the official start of competition. The Games promise to be a unique spectacle, blending athletic prowess with a celebration of Italian culture, even as they navigate the complexities of the current global landscape.
