Closing ceremony in Verona ends 'two unforgettable weeks' of Winter Olympics as handover made for 2030 Games in French Alps
Published 22/02/2026 at 22:58 GMT
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The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially finished. The closing ceremony took place at the Arena di Verona with gold medallists Matt Weston and Charlotte Bankes representing Team GB as flag bearers. International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry was in attendance and Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo was presented with his sixth gold medal of the Games.
Gold medal heroes Weston and Bankes carry GB flag at Closing Ceremony
Video credit: TNT Sports
The curtain came down on "two unforgettable weeks" of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a musical closing ceremony at the Arena di Verona.
Having officially started on February 6, the Games finished 16 days later after 116 medal events and a number of memorable sporting moments, which were aired on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The closing ceremony started with scenes from an opera and included music from Giuseppe Verdi's 'La traviata’.
Italian music, both classic and contemporary, was celebrated throughout the two-and-a-half hour spectacle, with performances from singer Achille Lauro and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle.
Around 12,000 spectators joined the 1,500 Olympians at the ancient amphitheatre, with gold medallists Matt Weston and Charlotte Bankes selected to carry the British flag.
Skeleton star Weston became the first British athlete to win two golds at the same Winter Olympics while Bankes won gold in mixed snowboard cross with Huw Nightingale.
"To be selected as flagbearer is a massive, massive honour and I’m so proud to be able to represent the country at the closing ceremony," said Weston ahead of the ceremony.
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Mouat, Stoecker show off medals during Closing Ceremony
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The fact that it’s taking place at such an iconic venue makes it even more exciting."
The parade of athletes saw stars of the Games, including Team GB’s men’s curling skip Bruce Mouat and skeleton mixed gold winner Tabitha Stoecker, enter to a tribute of Italian film music.
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry was in attendance along with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, watching as the Olympic flame was carried into the amphitheatre in a glass vase by Italian gold medallists from the 1994 Lillehammer Games.
"Dear athletes, my fellow Olympians, you have been incredible," said Coventry.
"Each and every one of you, brave, fearless, full of heart and passion, you have lifted all on the snow and ice. Two unforgettable weeks living every moment to the fullest, you gave everything and you shared it with us.
"Competing, embracing, lifting each other up whatever the result, you showed us what excellence, respect and friendship look like in a world that often forgets these values.
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Contender for 'best fit' of Closing Ceremony? Team GB look the part
Video credit: TNT Sports
"You showed us that the Olympic Games are a place for everyone. A place where sport brings us together. To all of you, thank you for making these Games truly magical."
Coventry, who declared the 2026 Winter Olympics officially closed, added: "To all the Olympians here tonight: wherever life takes you next, we wish you every success.
"To everyone watching, thank you for the incredible support you have given the athletes during these Games. I hope that we have inspired generations around the world with the Olympic spirit."
There were medals given out at the closing ceremony, including a sixth gold to Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo following his victory in the 50km mass start.
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French flag rises as 2030 beckons at Milano Cortina Closing Ceremony
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was also a handover to the next Winter Olympics in 2030, which will be held in the French Alps.
The French national anthem 'La Marseillaise' was sung and French athletes made their way onto the stage.
Speaking to Olympics.com before the closing ceremony, French Alps 2030 brand director Mathieu Sakkas said: "The handover ceremony is the first chapter of our history, a story that is at the very beginning. It's obviously a positive, elegant, minimalist message.
"At the same time, a thank you message to our Italian neighbours who have also staged the Games in the Alps and who have worked hard to bring the Winter Games back to Europe."
The opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics will also take place in the Arena di Verona on March 6.
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