“This is the triumph of an entire nation, a dream we have nurtured for years and that today shines on the ice and across the peaks of our Dolomites.” With these words, Federica Brignone sealed the closing of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, an edition that reshaped Italy’s sense of sporting identity.
The final ceremony, held at the Arena di Verona, unfolded in a spellbinding blend of lights, music and emotion. It marked not only the end of competition, but the beginning of a new chapter for winter sports in Italy.
The Italian team’s overall balance sheet was nothing short of extraordinary. With 30 medals, Italy shattered its previous all-time Olympic record, surpassing the benchmark set in Lillehammer. Medals arrived across nearly every discipline, highlighting a level of versatility never seen before. Veterans and rising stars alike reached the top of the podium, buoyed by meticulous long-term planning, home advantage and the relentless support of a nation that turned each race into a collective celebration.
Among the defining moments was Brignone’s dominance on home snow, a display of determination that resonated far beyond national borders. Yet Milan–Cortina was far from a one-nation show. On the global stage, Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo rewrote the history books in cross-country skiing, while speed skating saw Dutch and American athletes push the limits of performance. From snowboard big airs to the wind-tossed drama of biathlon in Anterselva, every medal told a story of endurance and sacrifice.
The Games were not without controversy. International debate flared following the disqualification of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, punished for a symbolic peace gesture linked to the war in his homeland. The decision reignited questions about political neutrality and the role of athletes in times of global crisis.
Domestically, criticism focused on media coverage. Television commentator Paolo Petrecca found himself at the center of a storm over tone and remarks that sparked widespread backlash, prompting a broader discussion on how public broadcasters should narrate events of global significance.
Despite these shadows, the curtain fell on Games that transformed Italy’s mountains and sporting landscape. As the Olympic flag symbolically passed to France for 2030, Italy embraced a moment of pride, aware that this record-breaking success is not an endpoint, but a foundation for the future.