With a three-hour, colorful spectacle, they began The 25th Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. They were officially opened by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The competitions return to the Alps after a 20-year hiatus. For two weeks, starting on February 22, 2,900 athletes from more than 90 countries will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals.

67,000 spectators attended the opening ceremony and the traditional parade of athletes at the legendary San Siro football stadium in Milan. At the same time, celebrations were held for the first time in three other places: Cortina, the second host city, as well as Predazzo and Livigno. The loudest applause was reserved for the Italian team. However, when the Israeli team entered the stadium and when US Vice President JD Vance, who was present in the stands, appeared on the screen, there were whistles.

The crowd at the Milan stadium was enthralled when American pop diva Mariah Carey sang in Italian: “Nel blu, dipinto di blu,” better known as “Volare.” The Italian national anthem was performed by Laura Pausini. The parade of athletes was accompanied by techno music.

For the first time, two Olympic flames

The opening ceremony, themed “Armonia” (Harmony), was intended to reflect the decentralized nature of the Games: For the first time in Olympic history, there are two host cities. The competitions are even taking place in seven different locations in northern Italy. The distances at the Winter Games have never been greater. The journeys, which take several hours, are a test for everyone, including the athletes.

For the first time, there are two Olympic torches during these games: one in the Arco della Pace (Peace Arch) in the center of Milan and one in Piazza Dibona in Cortina. This luxurious ski resort once again hosted the Winter Olympics 70 years ago. They marked the beginning of the career of the mountain village that is now called the "Queen of the Dolomites"./ DW