Milan, February 6, 2026 — The Olympic flame burned bright in both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo Friday night, ignited by Italian skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni in Milan, and Sofia Goggia in Cortina, officially opening the 2026 Winter Olympics.
A Dual Cauldron, A Historic Night
The opening ceremony marked the first time in Olympic history that the cauldron was lit simultaneously across multiple host cities—Milan, Cortina, Predazzo, and Livigno—a move designed to include as many athletes as possible in the symbolic moment.
- The Olympic cauldron was lit in both Milan and Cortina, Italy, on February 6, 2026.
- Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni lit the cauldron in Milan, while Sofia Goggia lit the one in Cortina.
- The ceremony featured performances by Laura Pausini and Mariah Carey, and a tribute to the late designer Giorgio Armani.
- The French delegation was led by standard bearers Clément Noël and Chloé Trespeuch.
The dual cauldrons themselves were inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s knot designs, positioned under the Arch of Peace in Milan and on Piazza Dibona in Cortina. The nearly three-and-a-half-hour spectacle unfolded across the four host cities, a logistical feat intended to maximize athlete participation.
Tomba, a three-time Olympic gold medalist (1988, 1992, 1994) in slalom and giant slalom, and Compagnoni, a three-time gold medalist (1992, 1994, 1998) in giant slalom and super-G, shared the honor in Milan. Goggia, the 2018 Olympic downhill champion and 2022 silver medalist in the same event, lit the cauldron in Cortina.
A Ceremony of Art and Applause
The parade of nations at the San Siro stadium saw a particularly enthusiastic reception for the Italian and Ukrainian teams. However, the Israeli delegation was met with audible hisses from some spectators. Representing France, 127 athletes marched, led by standard bearers Clément Noël and Chloé Trespeuch, hailing from the Alpine village of Livigno.
The ceremony spotlighted Italian artistry, fashion, and design. Singer Laura Pausini delivered a stirring rendition of the Italian anthem, and a tribute was paid to the memory of fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away last September. American singer Mariah Carey also took the stage, performing a captivating Italian-language version of Domenico Modugno’s classic song, Fly.
The games now shift focus to competition, with the men’s downhill race scheduled for Saturday, February 7, at 11:30 a.m. marking one of the most anticipated events of the fortnight.
