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Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics conclude in Verona
The closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics took place at Verona's historic Olympic Arena, marking the end of a Games that delivered unprecedented success for Great Britain and other nations. Though Verona hosted no sporting events-situated 75 miles from Milan-the city provided a dramatic backdrop for the finale, blending Italian opera, film music, and modern performances.
Historic achievements for Team GB
Great Britain secured its most successful Winter Olympics ever, finishing 15th in the medal table with five medals, including three golds. This surpassed the nation's previous best of a single gold. Skeleton racer Matt Weston, who carried the British flag, claimed two golds in the men's individual and team events alongside Tabby Stoecker. Snowboarder Charlotte Bankes, the female flagbearer, won gold in the team snowboard cross with Huw Nightingale, marking Britain's first Olympic snow event victory.
Team GB also earned silver in men's curling and bronze in women's ski halfpipe, won by Zoe Atkin on the final day of competition.
Global milestones and standout performances
Norway topped the medal table for the fourth consecutive Winter Games, with 18 medals, including six golds for cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. Klæbo's six golds set a record for the most individual victories at a single Games, with his final triumph in the men's 50km cross-country event closing the medal ceremonies.
Other historic firsts included Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen winning the men's giant slalom, the first Winter Olympic gold for a South American nation. Georgia earned its first Winter medal with silver in pairs figure skating, while Spain claimed gold in men's ski mountaineering for the first time in 54 years. Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates made their Winter Olympics debuts.
The United States won men's ice hockey gold for the first time in 46 years, while Italy, the host nation, achieved its best Winter Games performance with 10 golds and 30 total medals, placing fourth overall.
Controversies and emotional moments
The Games were not without controversy. Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for wearing a helmet featuring artwork commemorating athletes killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the IOC ruled violated neutrality rules. Meanwhile, Russian athlete Nikita Filippov competed as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) due to Russia's ban, winning silver in men's ski mountaineering. AIN competitors were barred from the opening ceremony but allowed to participate in the closing event.
Canada's men's curling team faced allegations of cheating during their gold medal campaign. Emotional highlights included 41-year-old Elana Meyers Taylor of the U.S. becoming the oldest individual Winter Olympics gold medalist in monobob, while skiing legend Lindsey Vonn's career ended with a broken leg.
Closing ceremony highlights
The ceremony opened with a tribute to Italian opera, featuring props from *Aida* and a celebration of Italian film music. Athletes entered the arena in national groups rather than the traditional mixed format, with the Olympic flame-carried in a glass vessel called the "Drop of Fire"-lighting up the rings. Performances by Major Lazer and Achille Lauro capped the artistic segments.
"You have been incredible-every one of you. Brave. Fearless. Full of heart and passion. You left it all on the snow and ice. This is the true Olympic spirit: competing, embracing, lifting each other up, whatever the result."
IOC President Kirsty Coventry
The handover to the 2030 hosts, the French Alps, included a performance of *La Marseillaise*'s sixth verse, chosen for its universal themes, and a video showcasing the Alpine region. The ceremony concluded with a performance featuring 24 Olympians, a first for the closing event.
Looking ahead to 2030
The Olympic flag was passed to Renaud Muselier and Fabrice Pannekoucke, presidents of the French regions hosting the 2030 Winter Games. The next edition will return to the Alps, promising another chapter in Olympic history.
