The closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Verona's ancient Arena celebrated a Games that has been hailed as a model for future events, with IOC President Kirsty Coventry stating, "You delivered a new kind of Winter Games and you set a very high standard for the future." Italy achieved a record medal haul of 30, including 12 golds for Team USA, marking a historic performance. Among the memorable moments was Johan Olav-Botn's emotional gold medal win in the men’s individual biathlon, where he dedicated his performance to his late teammate, Sivert Bakken, saying, "I felt I was racing with him" as he crossed the finish line. This poignant moment resonated deeply with spectators, highlighting the emotional depth of the Games. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the pride the Olympics brought to the nation, adding that the organization "brought prestige to the entire nation."
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2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Celebrates Italy'S Record Medal Haul
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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Verona celebrated record achievements and emotional moments, while protests highlighted environmental and social issues, foreshadowing challenges for the 2028 Games in LA.
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