A spectacular, opera-themed ceremony at Verona’s 2,000-year old Roman amphitheatre, once used for gladiatorial battles, hailed new heroes of skeleton and mixed team snowboard cross. In keeping with recent tradition, the gold medals for the men’s and women’s 50km cross-country were also awarded during the ceremony, including the record sixth gold of the Games for Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo. The ceremony concluded with the official handover to organisers of the next Winter Games in the French Alps in 2030, which are facing increasing scrutiny around time and money. Coventry, the successor to previous president Thomas Bach, had a difficult first Games. A message from His Majesty The King congratulating Team GB and teams across the Commonwealth on their successes at the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.

Source: Express February 22, 2026 21:46 UTC