Milan Cortina Olympics closes at Verona Arena as Olympic flag passes to France
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics concluded with a closing ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena, marking the end of the most geographically spread-out Winter Games in history.
- IOC President Kirsty Coventry praised the organizers for setting a new high standard, while the Olympic flag was handed over to France, the host of the 2030 Winter Games, which will also feature a dispersed event model.
- Italy achieved its best-ever Winter Olympic medal haul with 30 medals (10 gold), surpassing its previous record from 1994, a performance celebrated by Milan Cortina Foundation President Giovanni Malagò.
- The ceremony featured tributes to Italian culture, including opera, ballet, and contemporary music, with notable performances by Achille
