Winter Olympics 2026 closes after setting ‘a new standard for future’
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Winter Olympics concluded successfully, marking a historic event that set a new benchmark for future Games. Hosted across two cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, this was the most geographically spread-out冬奥会 in history, spanning an area of 22,000 square kilometers. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) praised Italy’s innovative approach, calling it "a new kind of Winter Games" that set a high standard for future editions. With 116 medal events across eight sports and 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering, the Games showcased diversity and excellence over 17 days of competition.
Italy emerged as the top performer with an impressive 30 medals, surpassing its previous record of 20 medals from the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. This achievement included 10 gold and six silver medals, reflecting the country’s strong performance in various events. The closing ceremony at Verona Arena paid tribute to Italian culture, blending opera, pop music, and contemporary beats to create a memorable finale. Highlights included performances by Gabry Ponte, whose DJ beats energized the crowd, and artist Achille Lauro, who closed the event with a poignant song.
The unique format of hosting events across multiple regions, from Milan’s ice sports to Alpine venues in Austria and Switzerland, was lauded for its creativity. The next冬奥会, scheduled for 2030 in France, will follow a similar model, featuring locations as far apart as the Alps
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026