Winter Olympics opening ceremony was a sleek Italian spectacle, as only they could deliver

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The Winter Olympics have returned! Before the competitions begin, there’s always an opening ceremony. It’s a formal event that also showcases the host country’s culture and celebrates the Olympic spirit. These ceremonies are massive in scale – even bigger than a Super Bowl halftime show – and don’t happen very often.

This year’s Winter Olympics are being held in Italy, across both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Events are taking place in Milan’s San Siro Stadium and in the mountains of the north. The opening ceremonies were unique, with Olympic cauldrons in both cities and the athletes’ parade extending to Livigno and Predazzo. National teams were divided and based in the locations where they would be competing.

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1. Bobblehead figures depicting Italian composers Rossini, Puccini, and Verdi are shown, with Rossini on the left. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 2. Dancers perform on stage at San Siro Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

The heart of the event was a spectacular show in the arena, expertly directed by Marco Balich, known for large-scale productions. It was stylish and modern, with a distinctly Italian flair for drama. The show made a strong visual impact through color, starting with an all-white performance inspired by Canova’s sculpture “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss.” This transitioned into black and white, referencing Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita,” before exploding into a vibrant display of color with flowing fabrics released from giant paint tubes. The performance featured playful interpretations of Italian opera, with dancers portraying composers like Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini as team mascots. Dancers also appeared as gladiators and even as moka pots, and a line of models in Armani gowns showcased the colors of the Italian flag.

Mariah Carey appeared stunning in a shimmering silver gown, an ostrich feather boa, and an estimated $15 million in diamonds. Despite not being Italian, she performed the classic Italian song “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” (known as “Volare”) before seamlessly transitioning into her own hit, “Nothing Is Impossible.” It felt like she truly belonged to the world. I don’t usually pay much attention to Mariah Carey, but her performance in this setting was genuinely impressive and touched me deeply.

The opening ceremony’s parade of countries is always a display of style, and the winter outfits consistently look better than the summer ones. Ralph Lauren, as usual, designed the American team’s clothing – this year, it was white puffy jackets and Scandinavian-style knit hats. The countries marched in alphabetical order, with a few exceptions: Greece traditionally leads, Italy marched last as the host nation, France was second to last as the next Winter Games host, and the U.S. was third to last, representing the 2034 games. This order places smaller nations alongside larger ones, giving them equal prominence. I always enjoy seeing the delegations from these less well-known countries, and the Ukrainian team received a particularly enthusiastic welcome, proudly wearing their national colors.

The second half of the show began with a fun cartoon featuring Sabrina Impacciatore, known from “The White Lotus,” who appeared to travel through past Winter Olympics. She then emerged as a live performer, leading a lively musical number that brought the show back to the present. (She definitely deserved an award for that performance!) Pianist Lang Lang accompanied Cecilia Bartoli as she sang the Olympic anthem, and the renowned Andrea Bocelli delivered a powerful rendition of Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” with a string orchestra. Italian rapper Ghali then performed an antiwar poem by Gianni Rodari, surrounded by dancers.

Last night’s performance, centered around the theme of “Armonia” – or harmony – really struck a chord with me. It wasn’t just about finding balance between city and country life, beautifully depicted through dance, but a broader message about unity and connection between all people, which was powerfully emphasized throughout the evening. It felt like a call for togetherness that hopefully will resonate long after the curtain fell.

Speaking to the athletes, the organizing committee president, Giovanni Malagò, highlighted their presence as a symbol of hope and unity in a world often marked by conflict. He emphasized that their gathering showed a different kind of world is possible – one built on respect and harmony. Kirsty Coventry, the first female president of the IOC, added that while Olympic athletes are driven to win, they also deeply respect, support, and motivate each other. She explained that this connection reminds us that our strength comes from kindness, courage, and how we treat one another – and that these qualities represent the best of what it means to be human.

Charlize Theron unexpectedly quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “Peace isn’t simply the lack of fighting; it’s building a world where everyone can thrive, no matter their background.” Some in the US would likely label this sentiment as “woke,” and while disagreements like these aren’t unique to America, it felt like a direct message to the current administration.

The opening ceremony featured two Olympic flames being lit – one in Milan and one in Cortina – each housed within a mesmerizing, transforming sphere. While the event occasionally veered into overly sentimental territory, it was surprisingly moving, even when it was a bit cheesy. I definitely wasn’t the only one shedding tears – I went through a stack of tissues! I suspect many others were similarly touched by the spectacle.

Let the games begin.

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2026-02-07 06:01