2026 Winter Olympics to close with Verona ceremony

After two weeks filled with competitions and emotions, the 2026 Winter Olympics are drawing to a close, with organizers preparing an exceptional closing ceremony in the impressive Arena di Verona, the city famous for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

Men’s hockey final marks end of competitions

Sporting events began on February 4 with curling competitions, two days before the official opening ceremony. On Sunday, the men’s hockey final between the United States and Canada will be the final match, bringing the Olympic competitions to an end after two intense weeks.

“Beauty in action”: tribute to Italian arts

The closing ceremony, scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m., will traditionally feature the parade of athletes and the extinguishing of the Olympic flame, but will also offer a unique tribute to Italian beauty and art. While the opening ceremony was held simultaneously in four locations to unify the geographically dispersed Games, the closing event will take place centrally in Verona, highlighting the link between sport and culture.

The theme of the ceremony is titled “Beauty in Action.” Organizers say it will combine dance, music, cinema, architecture, and sport in a unique choreography designed to deliver a fully immersive and emotional experience.

“Beauty will not only be shown, but experienced, shared and felt. We want the audience to be an integral part of a story that combines emotion and reflection, body and soul,” said Maria Laura Iascone, ceremonies director for Milano-Cortina 2026.

Among the confirmed performers are Roberto Bolle, one of the world’s most renowned classical dancers, and Achille Lauro, a pop singer from Verona. They will help transform the ceremony into a true fusion of tradition, art, and sporting excellence.

Games hailed as sustainable success

International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry highlighted the success of this edition, which was the most geographically widespread in history.

“These Games are and have truly been a success in the new sustainable way of doing things. They exceeded all expectations, and that is what we must remember,” Coventry said.

Olympic flag to be handed to France 2030

At the end of the ceremony, the Olympic flag will officially be handed over to the French Alps, hosts of the 2030 Winter Olympics. The segment dedicated to France will focus on light as a central theme, combining live music, performances by artists and athletes, and video projections, offering audiences a preview of what is to come in 2030.

A celebration of sport and culture

The closing ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is more than just a festive event — it serves as a bridge between sport, culture, and Italian tradition, reflecting the harmony between athletic performance and artistic expression. It reinforces Italy’s image on the international stage and promises spectators a memorable show.

It thus marks the end of an unforgettable edition, where sport and art came together to celebrate excellence and the beauty of human movement.