Milan, Feb. 7 -- The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially began on Friday with a multi-location opening ceremony that blended restraint, elegance, and Italian cultural flair, marking a contrast to the high-energy spectacle of the Paris 2024 opener.
Staged across the two host cities and several Alpine venues, the unprecedented ceremony featured more than 1,000 performers and celebrated Italy's history, culture, and fashion. Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium, with a capacity of 75,000, served as the main venue for the nearly three-hour event, Variety reported.
International music stars Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli were among the performers, adding a global dimension to the largely understated presentation. The ceremony unfolded un...