2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony begins with spectacle, mixed reactions and high hopes

The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony unfolded on Friday night with grandeur, symbolism and a few surprises, officially setting the tone for the Games ahead. Held across multiple historic sites in Italy, including the iconic San Siro stadium, the ceremony marked the return of full crowds and Olympic pageantry after the subdued pandemic-era Games in Beijing four years ago.

Around 60,000 spectators were expected inside San Siro, but noticeable empty seats raised eyebrows early on. Still, the atmosphere inside and beyond the stadium remained lively as nearly 3,000 athletes were welcomed across different venues, reflecting the organizers’ ambition to blend sport with history and culture. The ceremony stretched longer than planned, but the visual richness, creative costumes and use of two Olympic flames largely kept the audience engaged.

There were clear political undertones at moments. The United States team received loud cheers during the parade of nations, while US Vice President JD Vance was met with boos when he appeared on screen. It was a reminder that global sport rarely exists in isolation from world affairs, even on a night meant to celebrate unity.

International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry addressed that tension directly in her speech, calling on the Games to be a “celebration of what unites us.” Her words were met with warm applause, underlining the central message the IOC hopes these Games will carry over the next 19 days.

With the ceremony now complete, attention quickly turns to competition. Saturday alone features five medal events, including men’s downhill skiing, women’s speed skating and men’s snowboard big air. Sunday raises the pace further with eight medal events, from the biathlon mixed relay to team figure skating.

Storylines are everywhere. Snowboarding star Chloe Kim is chasing history, while Lindsey Vonn is attempting another remarkable comeback, competing without an ACL. Belgium’s Kim Meylemans and Brazil’s Nicole Silveira, a married skeleton duo, are eyeing historic podium finishes. Age is also part of the narrative, with 15-year-old Abby Winterberger representing the USA and Austria’s 52-year-old Claudia Riegler proving longevity still has a place at the elite level.

The return of NHL players to men’s ice hockey and the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering add further intrigue. Compared to Beijing 2022, these Games feel louder, fuller and more connected to the public.

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The closing ceremony is scheduled for February 22. Until then, the stage is set for sport, stories and moments that will define this Olympic winter.