The lights of the world on San Siro, a phantasmagorical show for Milan-Cortina

One spectacular, majestic, touching ceremony and destined to remain in the history of Olympic Games. A celebration of “Italian genius” from every point of view: from the sculptures of Antonio Canova all music by Verdi, Puccini and Rossini but also of Raffaella Carrà, and then again the “Nessun dorma” sung by Andrea Boccelli“The infinite” by Leopardi performed by Pierfrancesco Favino and the pacifist “Reminder” by Gianni Rodari reinterpreted by Ghali.

The Italian genius between art, music and messages of peace

In addition to the continuous, obstinate, messages of peace (among these the appeal launched by Charlize Theron), the typical Italian gestures in the sketch of Brenda Lodigianithe elegance of the clothes of George Amrani and constant connections with Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo in the former Winter Olympics spread of history.

Milano Cortina 2026 becomes reality

Milano Cortina 2026 has become reality with one opening ceremony entitled “Harmony”. What opened in front of the 67,000 people at San Siri was an edition, the XXV of snow and ice sports, which boasts many new and “firsts” (starting with that of the two braziers, in Milan and Cortina and the ceremonies that are done in four, including Predazzo and Livigno).

Mattarella opens the Games amidst applause and symbols

The Games were declared open President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella who pronounced the usual formula amidst applause and ovations from the audience. That same Head of State who showed his most human face in a video showing his arrival at the San Siro stadium aboard a tram (number 26, clear reference to the year of the Games) driven by the former motorcycling champion Valentino Rossi and who was applauded by the public over and over again.

Malagò and Coventry: pride, heart and empathy

“I have never been so proud to be Italian” said the president of the Organizing Committee of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games Giovanni Malagòvisibly moved, before saying that these Olympics are ready to write a page in history. He echoed the words of the CIO President Kirsty Coventry who reminded all athletes that “strength is not a question of victory, but of heart, courage and empathy” and the ability to “dream, overcome difficulties, respect each other, take care of each other”.

The numbers of an unprecedented show

But “Armonia” also meant choreographies and music by 1300 performer among professionals and volunteers between 10 and 70 years of age. And 1,440 connection components and 1,000 meters of dynamic LEDsbeyond 1,400 costumes made, 1,500 pairs of shoes e 7,500 meters of fabricwith the contribution of 110 make-up artist, 70 hair stylist and the use of beyond 1,000 props. The final ceremony finally saw the entrance to the stadium. Franco Baresi and Beppe Bergomiicons of Milan and Inter, who brought the Olympic flame into the San Siro and then handed it over to the captain of the Italian national volleyball team, Simone Giannelli.

From Space to the Olympic Oath

And tribute to Space con Samantha Cristoforetti, shortly before the Olympic oath read by the Olympic mixed curling champion in Beijing 2022, Stefania Constantineoriginally from Cortina, together with the South Tyrolean sledger Dominik Filehner. Finally, the most touching, most awaited moment, the lighting of the braziers. Two, for the first time in history. In Milan, the last torch bearers were accompanied by Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

The Olympic flame was taken over by Manuela Di Centa, former Nordic skiing champion, and Gerda Weissensteiner, the only Italian to have won an Olympic medal in two different sports in two different editions of the Winter Games (luge/gold and bobsleigh/bronze).

From Fabris to Tomba and Compagnoni, up to Goggia

The two champions handed over the fire of Olimpia to former speed skater Enrico Fabris, winner of two golds in Turin 2006 (1500 meters and team pursuit), who then handed it over to Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba ready to wait for him under the Arch of Peace. Albertone and Deborah, three Olympic gold medalists in their career, then accessed the brazier. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, the touching walk of Gustav Thoeni, alpine skiing legend of the 70s, before handing over the flame to the skier Sofia Goggia which then has access to the brazier at the same time as that of Milan.