Flagbearer Maria Eleni Tsiovolou leads the way, the Greek flag fluttering as she enters the Arena di Verona for the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, bringing a spectacular close to the festivities in Milano-Cortina on Sunday night.
Highlights of the Winter Olympic Games
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games concluded as a masterclass in Italian style and athletic grit, spread across the stunning landscape of the Italian Alps and the urban energy of Milan. Norway once again asserted its dominance, topping the medal table with 18 golds, but the storylines went far beyond the final count.
A major highlight was the return of NHL players to men’s ice hockey, culminating in a “Miracle on Ice” throwback. The United States stunned Canada in a 2-1 overtime thriller, with Jack Hughes scoring the golden goal to secure America’s first hockey gold since 1980.
Meanwhile, on the slopes, Eileen Gu made history for China, becoming the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, while American figure skater Alysa Liu ended a 24-year drought for the U.S. with a flawless gold-medal performance.
The Games were also defined by progress and heritage. It was the most gender-equal Winter Games ever, featuring equal race distances for men and women in cross-country skiing.
The finale at the Arena di Verona brought the journey full circle; titled “Beauty in Action,” it used a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater to celebrate the spirit of solidarity before handing the flag to the French Alps for 2030.
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