★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★
★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★
≡ THE CLOSING ≡
Titled “Italian Souvenir,” the show at the Cortina Olympic Ice Stadium brought together the athletes and a lavish cultural program to say good-bye to five weeks of Olympic and Paralympic events in northern Italy.
The parade of flagbeaers took a lot less time than the parade of athletes during the opening; Austria had sibling skiers Veronika Aigner and Johannes Aigner, who won nine medals between them (Veronika 4-1-0, Johannes 3-0-1), which would have placed them 12th overall by themselves!
The volunteers – 18,000 in all for both Games – were thanked for their role in making the events work, and dance performances which underscored the importance of inclusion and that everyone can achieve.
A “living postcard” from Cortina was formed on the floor, leading to the protocol ceremonies and the handover to the French Alps 2030 organizers. The Paralympic flag was presented by Deputy Milan Mayor Anna Scavuzzo and Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi to International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons (BRA), who passed to Presidents of the French regions that will host in 2030: Renaud Muselier from Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur and Fabrice Pannekoucke from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
¶
Organizing committee President Giovanni Malago expressed thanks to the governmental authorities, to the spectators and the athletes and more, and added:
“Now, to every member of the Milano Cortina 2026 team, I say: Stra-or-di-na-ri! – You have been truly extraordinary.
“The challenge was immense, yet you met it with great determination – and tonight we can say that we have fulfilled our mission and honoured Italy’s name as best we could.”
IPC chief Parsons spoke in both English and Italian – well received by the crowd – insisted on the importance of the Games:
“These Games offered something powerful and refreshing: proof that sport can unite us through respect, fairness and human achievement. Paralympians, you rose above pressure, expectation and global tension to keep the focus where it belongs: on you and your sport.
“You expanded the imagination of the world. You have shown that excellence is universal and that determination knows no boundaries. Every race and every match told a story; a story of resilience and a story of possibility. A story that will inspire long after these Games close.”
And he reflected on the true mission of the Paralympics:
“[P]erhaps the greatest legacy of these Games is the shift in perception created by Paralympians.
“When the world watched a skier launch down a mountain, or a Para ice hockey team battle on the ice, something changed. Old stereotypes faded. New possibilities appeared.
“Children with disabilities saw role models who look like them in fierce competition at the highest level of sport. Families, teachers, and communities now see ability where once they saw only disability.
“This is the true legacy of the Paralympic Movement.
“As the Paralympic flame is extinguished, the spirit it represents does not fade. It travels home with every athlete, every spectator, and every viewer, every one of them watching tonight inspired by these remarkable days.”
A completely fitting ending used snow globes as a way to encapsulate the Games in Milan, Cortina and more . Then, the cauldrons were extinguished and the dance party started with the Italian band Planet Funk.
¶
Italy has a lot to be proud of in both Games, of course. Despite continuous criticism in home media, the events took place mostly without incident in generally good conditions and in generally good weather, although the weather warmed unseasonably at the end of the Paralympics. The final costs, of course, have yet to be tallied.
There was a record 611 athletes at this Games (plus 84 guides), from a record 55 National Paralympic Committees. On the field, snow and ice, Italy was magical during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the Olympic Winter Games, Italy won 30 medals (10-6-14), way ahead of its prior high of 20 from Lillehammer 1994.
For the Paralympics, Italy again won the most medals ever in a Winter Games, totaling 16 (7-7-2), surpassing 13 was back in Lillehammer (NOR) in 1994. The seven golds was more than double the prior high of three, last achieved in Salt Lake City in 2002.
This was a success for Italy, for the much-doubted organizing committee headed by Andrea Varnier and for the athletes who competed brilliantly in both events. It was the athletes, especially, who brought the emotion and brilliance to the Games, but very well staged and supported by the organizing committee and the host regions.
Planners, creators and stage hands are important, even if they are hardly noticed when the show goes on. And this show was excellent.
¶
★ Receive our exclusive, weekday TSX Recap by e-mail by clicking here.
★ Sign up a friend to receive the TSX Recap by clicking here.
★ Please consider a donation here to keep this site going.
For our updated, 45-sport, 910-event International Sports Calendar for 2026 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!
