The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games have officially started, kicking off with a vibrant ceremony spanning four cities that blended Italian culture, music, and athletic pride.
While Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium served as the central stage, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo also hosted synchronized performances, creating a seamless and visually stunning celebration.
The multi-location format raised questions about logistics, but the event unfolded flawlessly. Twin Olympic cauldrons were ignited—one in Milan and the other in Cortina—marking the start of the Games. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli delivered a moving performance of Nessun Dorma as the torch entered San Siro, captivating audiences across all sites.
The parade of athletes brought together delegations from around the world, culminating with Italy’s team receiving thunderous applause. Lilah Fear carried the Great Britain flag in Milan, while bobsledder Brad Hall led the group in Cortina.
Alongside Italy, Ukrainian athletes were met with an especially warm reception, and Team USA was also cheered, though some sections of the crowd expressed disapproval when US vice-president JD Vance appeared, as well as for Israel and Georgia’s teams.
Creative director Marco Balich designed the show around the concept of armonia, representing unity, connection, and shared values. Highlights included segments titled 'Italian beauty' and 'fantasia', with a tribute to fashion legend Giorgio Armani, who passed away in 2025 at 91.
Mariah Carey's performance was among the most anticipated of the night.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGESAmerican singer Mariah Carey added a global touch, performing Volare in a sparkling white ensemble that captured the crowd’s imagination.
Giovanni Malago, president of the Milan-Cortina 2026 organising committee, praised the collaborative effort. "We stand ready to make Olympic history again, inspired by the values that unite all of us: excellence, friendship and respect," he said.
"The co-ordination of so many different bodies in the pursuit of one dream has been a powerful expression of this country's ability to deliver such a complex project. I have never been as proud to be Italian as I am tonight."
The ceremony ended with the Olympic cauldrons being lit in Milan and Cortina.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGESInternational Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry officially declared the Games open, the first time a woman has opened the Olympics. She addressed athletes directly: "This is why we all love the Games. Because through you, we see the very best of ourselves. You remind us that we can be brave. That we can be kind. That we can get back up, no matter how hard we fall. The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport. It is about us - and what makes us human. This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be, together."
Competitions including curling, figure skating, and ice hockey have already begun, with the first five gold medals to be awarded on Saturday.
