The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games were officially inaugurated this Friday by Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy.
“I declare officially opened the twenty-fifth edition of the Olympic Winter Games,” Mattarella said from Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza(San Siro) Stadium where the opening ceremony took place.
Music, legends and the lighting of the cauldrons
The Italian president’s remarks were followed by a performance by Andrea Bocelli, who interpreted ‘Nessun dorma’ from the opera Turandot.
Meanwhile, Giuseppe Bergomi and Franco Baresi, former Inter and Milan players, respectively, came on stage to hand over the torch to Olympic volleyball champions Anna Danesi, Paola Egonu and Carlotta Cambi.
The torch then left San Siro and, after a message of peace from South African and American Charlize Theron, inspired by Nelson Mandela, the two Olympic Winter Games cauldrons were lit.
The cauldrons, which preside over two emblematic places in each of the host cities, were lit by skiers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni.
Both three-time Olympic champions, at the Arch of Peace in Milan,
And by the also skier Sofia Goggia, Olympic champion in 2018, in Piazza Dibona in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
An unprecedented Olympic Games
Andrea Bocelli performed 'Nessun dorma'
QuéOnnda.com
This is the first time in history that an Olympic Games has had two cauldrons guarding two different flames.
They are also the largest Games ever, with 22,000 square kilometers.
The main venue for the opening ceremony of these Olympic Winter Games was the mythical Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium in Milan.
It was its last major event before being demolished for the construction of a new stadium.
The ceremony, with performances by Laura Pausini, Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, among other artists.
With a tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, it lasted more than three and a half hours, including the parade of the 92 delegations.
Divided among the cities where the different events will be held, which is also unique in the history of Olympic sport.
With information from EFE
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