IOC President Coventry Declares 'New Kind of Winter Games' at Milan-Cortina Closing
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry hailed the Milan and Cortina Winter Olympics as "a new kind of Winter Games" during a spectacular closing ceremony held at Verona's 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre. The opera-themed event, which drew heavily on the region's historic reputation for arts and beauty, celebrated new heroes of skeleton and mixed team snowboard cross while setting what Coventry described as "a new standard for the future."
Spectacular Ceremony in Ancient Arena
The closing ceremony took place in Verona's ancient amphitheatre, once used for gladiatorial battles, creating a dramatic backdrop for the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Games. Gold medallists Charlotte Bankes and Matt Weston carried the Union flag during the proceedings, which maintained recent tradition by awarding the gold medals for the men's and women's 50km cross-country events during the ceremony itself.
Norwegian athlete Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo received particular recognition during the ceremony, claiming his record sixth gold medal of the Games. The unprecedented geographical spread of the Milan and Cortina Games, which enabled many events to be staged amid true alpine settings, has been hailed by many observers as an alternative blueprint for future Winter Olympics.
Future of Winter Games Under Discussion
Coventry's comments about a "new kind of Winter Games" were particularly pertinent given ongoing discussions about the future of the Winter Olympics. There is increasing debate about the possibility of including a range of other sports not traditionally played on snow and ice, with the Milan-Cortina model potentially offering a template for how such expansion might be managed.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover to organisers of the next Winter Games, scheduled for the French Alps in 2030. These upcoming Games are already facing increasing scrutiny around time and financial constraints, making the Milan-Cortina model potentially influential in their planning.
Challenging First Games for New IOC President
For Coventry, who succeeded previous president Thomas Bach, the Milan-Cortina Games represented a challenging first Olympics in her leadership role. She presided over the controversial decision to ban Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, insisting his helmet - which honoured colleagues killed in the Russian invasion - broke rules on athlete expression.
The new IOC president also endured a bizarre interlude during the Games when she publicly blamed her media team for not making her aware of several issues. These included FIFA president Gianni Infantino's appearance at a 'Board of Peace' meeting wearing a Donald Trump-style baseball cap, which generated significant media attention and controversy.
Royal Congratulations for Athletes
As the Winter Games concluded, the King issued a message to all athletes, stating: "As the Winter Games come to a close, my wife and I send our most heartfelt congratulations to all the Olympic medal winners from Team GB, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on your remarkable successes."
The message continued: "Whether on the ice or amid Italy's glorious snowscapes, you have demonstrated not only exceptional skill, but also the grace and camaraderie that embody the Olympic spirit at its finest." This royal recognition underscored the international nature of the Games and the achievements of athletes from across the Commonwealth.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have now concluded, leaving behind what many are describing as a potential new model for future Winter Games, with their innovative geographical spread and emphasis on combining sporting excellence with cultural heritage.
