Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Conclude with Grand Closing Ceremony in Verona

Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Draw to a Close

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially conclude today, February 22, 2026, marking the end of 17 days of intense competition across various venues in northern Italy. The Games, which commenced on February 6, 2026, have been notable for their expansive geographical spread, covering an area of 22,000 square kilometers and featuring 116 medal events across eight Olympic sports and 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering.

Final Medal Events Crown Champions

The penultimate day of the Games saw thrilling conclusions in two of the most anticipated events:

• Men's Four-Man Bobsleigh: The German team, piloted by Johannes Lochner, clinched the gold medal in the men's four-man bobsleigh. Lochner's crew, comprising Thorsten Margis, Jörn Wenzel, and Georg Fleischhauer, recorded a combined time of 3:37.57. Fellow German team led by Francesco Friedrich secured the silver, while Switzerland, with Michael Vogt at the helm, earned the bronze medal.
• Women's Cross-Country 50km Mass Start: Sweden's Ebba Andersson delivered a dominant performance to win the gold medal in the women's 50km mass start classic cross-country skiing event, held in Tesero, Italy. Norway's Heidi Weng claimed the silver medal, and Nadja Kaelin of Switzerland took home the bronze.

Spectacular Closing Ceremony in Verona

The Games culminated with an evocative closing ceremony held at the ancient Verona Arena. The ceremony, broadcast worldwide, celebrated Italian culture through a tapestry of music, art, and dance. Internationally acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle, popular Italian singer Achille Lauro, and DJ Gaby Ponte were among the featured performers. Approximately 1,500 Olympians were expected to participate in the grand finale.

A significant moment of the ceremony included the traditional handover of the Olympic flag to France, the host nation for the 2030 Winter Games. The Olympic flames, which burned in cauldrons in Milan and Cortina, were extinguished via video link, symbolizing the official conclusion of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.