The Winter Olympics officially began tonight with an Opening Ceremony at Milan's San Siro Stadium, one of the historic venue's final events before it is demolished. The ceremony featured athlete parades across northern Italy, including in Cortina, where curling, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge will take place.
Israel's Olympic team received a smattering of boos as they entered the stadium, though the jeers were quickly drowned out by the loud soundtrack. US Vice-President JD Vance was also booed when he appeared on screen during the otherwise upbeat celebration.
Actress Charlize Theron delivered a message of peace quoting Nelson Mandela: 'Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference.' The speech followed a poem reading about peace and rejecting war.
Performances included Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and pianist Lang Lang. The Olympic flame was lit simultaneously in Milan by skiers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, and in Cortina by Sofia Goggia. IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed athletes, saying: 'Welcome to your Games. I know what it feels like... Enjoy every second.'
