The 2026 Winter Olympics officially came to an end today with a spectacular closing ceremony held at the iconic Verona Arena in Italy. The event celebrated 17 days of intense competition across Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, featuring a blend of traditional Italian opera and modern light shows. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry officially declared the Games closed, praising the athletes for their resilience and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

A major highlight of the evening was the formal handover of the Olympic flag to the representatives of the French Alps, the host of the 2030 Winter Games. For the first time in history, the Olympic flame was extinguished simultaneously in two different locations the Milan city center and the mountain peaks of Cortina symbolizing the regional partnership that defined these Games. The ceremony concluded with a massive fireworks display that illuminated the Roman amphitheater.

In the final medal standings, Norway once again topped the table, followed closely by Germany and the United States. Host nation Italy celebrated its most successful Winter Olympics ever, finishing with a record 30 medals. Notable final-day victories included Sweden's gold in women's curling and a dramatic USA win over Canada in the men's ice hockey final, capping off a fortnight of high-octane winter sports action.