The 25th Winter Olympic Games officially opened in Italy. The main ceremony, held on Friday, February 6, took place at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, which accommodates 80,000 spectators.
At the same time, separate elements of the opening, including the parade of teams, were organized in three other cities — Cortina d'Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno. These towns are located at a significant distance from each other, and some competitions began before the official opening, making it difficult for many athletes to arrive in Milan. All venues were connected by a common television broadcast.
The musical part of the program combined classical and contemporary music: works by Vivaldi and Rossini were performed, along with performances by famous artists such as Mariah Carey and Italian rapper Ghali. The highlight was a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli, who sang the famous aria Nessun dorma from Puccini's opera Turandot.
The program also featured a fashion show, where models presented a collection from the Armani house in the colors of the Italian flag. This event was a tribute to designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September at the age of 91. The Armani brand is the official outfitter of the Italian team at the 2026 Winter Games.
The ceremony concluded with a unique moment: the Olympic flame was lit simultaneously in two places — at the Arch of Peace in Milan and in Dibona Square in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This decision set a precedent in the history of the Olympic Games.
The closing of the Olympics will take place in the ancient amphitheater in Verona, which is over two thousand years old. It is expected that around 12,000 spectators will be able to witness the event. This will be the first time the Olympic Games conclude at a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kazybek Moldazhiyev, the Director of the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports under the Government of Kyrgyzstan, attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
Before the event began, Kazybek Moldazhiyev wished success to Kyrgyz athletes Artur Saparbekov and Timur Shakirov, expressing confidence that they would honor the Kyrgyz Republic and achieve high results.
