Icy opening ceremony for Winter Olympics

 CORTINA D’AMPEZZO-The energy is in the famous streets, lined with designer shops like Louis Vuitton and Prada, and with the soaring Dolomites in the background creates the perfect setting for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Fans wrapped in their country’s flags posing for pictures at the official countdown clock, in the middle of the city.

 The opening ceremony was being split across Milan and Cortina this year with much of the star power performing in the larger market of Milan. The lineup includes Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Pierfrancesco Favino. The event in Cortina will be held in Piazza Dibona in the center of the historic mountain town.

 “Awesome” said Yulliia, the Marketing Manager for USA Luge Team when asked to describe how she feels today. “Our athletes are thrilled that they get to do the walk in the ceremony tonight.”  I noticed a unique accent so I asked if she was from the USA she said she moved to the United States 10 years ago but is originally from Ukraine.

 Simon from Sussex, UK “we’ve come for the curling, my son curls since October.” His school age son wants to be the first English member of the Great Britian Curling Team, usually made up of Scottish players. When I asked his son if he will make it in the future he said “Hopefully.”

 Many leaders from across the globe will be attending the opening ceremony in Milan including US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni along with 50 other world leaders.

 The games that have historically happened under the traditional Olympic truce and “Harmony”, unveiled as the title of this year’s opening ceremony, this year has not been short of controversy. The Rome Street artist Laika, created a new piece of graffiti street art depicting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent pulling a gun on a long jump skier with the white mountain’s upside down in the background. It is located in front of the Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome.

 Hundreds of ICE protesters chanted slogans and blew whistles in Milan this morning in a reaction to the United States sending ICE agents as security for the American athletes. During the opening ceremony the United States Vice President JD Vance and his wife were booed when they were shown on the big screen in the Milan stadium. At the same event the American Olympic team was cheered loudly in Milan and Cortina.  There are several other protests scheduled during the games including pro-Palestinian, environmental groups and for affordable housing.

 Cortina is no stranger to the Winter Olympics from attempting to host 1944 but canceled do to the Second World War, then eventually hosting the games during the 1956 Olympics. These games hosted 32 nations and were the first to be broadcast on television to a multinational audience. This was the last Olympics where the figure skating competitions were held outdoors.

 The 56 games were the first time the Soviet Union, Bolivia and Iran participated. Also, West Germany and East Germany participated together under the United Team of Germany. Now, 70 years later the city is co-hosting with Milan.

 A picturesque Italian Mountain town will be the backdrop of a portion of this year’s games. Also a popular location for Hollywood, shooting such films as The Pink Panther (1963), For Your Eyes Only (1981), and Cliffhanger (1993). The striking Dolomites in the background create a perfect backdrop for winter sports.