The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games started with an exciting opening ceremony held at four locations: Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo. Milan's famous San Siro stadium was the main venue. Two Olympic cauldrons were lit—one in Milan and another in Cortina. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang a powerful version of Nessun Dorma as the torch arrived at San Siro. The Italian team entered last in the athletes’ parade, cheered loudly at all four venues. Great Britain’s flagbearer was figure skater Lilah Fear in Milan, while bobsledder Brad Hall carried the UK flag in Cortina. Besides Italy, Ukraine’s athletes received the warmest applause, followed by Team USA. However, US Vice-President JD Vance was met with boos on the big screen. Other teams like Israel and Georgia faced similar negative reactions. The ceremony, directed by Marco Balich, centered on 'armonia'—meaning unity and connection. It celebrated Italian beauty and creativity, including a tribute to fashion legend Giorgio Armani, who passed away in 2025. American singer Mariah Carey performed the classic Volare, dazzling in a gleaming white outfit. Giovanni Malago, head of the Games’ organising committee, said, "I have never been as proud to be Italian as I am tonight." The Games were officially opened by IOC president Kirsty Coventry, the first woman to do so. She said, "The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport. It is about us - and what makes us human." Key events like curling, figure skating, and ice hockey have already started. The first five gold medals will be awarded on Saturday. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will run from February 6 to 22.