A solemn closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games was held in Verona at the ancient Roman amphitheater Verona Arena. The Games took place in Italy from February 6 to 22 as part of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The program, titled “Beauty in Action,” showcased the richness of Italian culture — from the famous operas traditionally staged at the Verona Arena to popular Italian hits and modern dance music. Part of the ceremony also took place in a nearby theater.
Russian athletes were among those participating in the traditional Parade of Athletes. Invitations to the closing ceremony were extended to silver medalist in ski mountaineering Nikita Filippov, cross-country skiers Savely Korostelev and Darya Nepryaeva, as well as figure skaters Pyotr Gumenik and Adeliya Petrosyan. It is worth recalling that athletes competing under neutral status did not take part in the opening ceremony.
During the closing ceremony, the final two sets of Olympic medals were awarded in the men’s and women’s classical cross-country skiing marathons.
In the concluding part of the ceremony, following the performance of the Olympic Hymn, the Games flag was lowered. The mayors of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo handed it over to IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who then passed it on to the organizers of the next Winter Olympic Games, to be held in France in 2030.
“Thank you to the athletes, the organizers, the authorities of the country and all the host cities,” Coventry said in her address. “You have raised the organization to a new level and can be proud of yourselves. Thanks to all international federations, our partners and broadcasters, the volunteers, and everyone who was with us these days. The Olympic flame will be extinguished, but its spirit will remain with us. I am a little sad, but very proud to declare the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo closed. See you in 2030 in the French Alps!”
Following her speech, the Olympic cauldrons — which had burned for 16 days in the host cities — were extinguished.
