Overview
- Italy ended the Winter Games with a closing ceremony at the Arena di Verona that extinguished the Olympic flames in sync with Milan and Cortina.
- The IOC, led by Kirsty Coventry, praised the organization as setting a new standard for diffused Games and delivered a standing ovation to the hosts.
- Organizers reported about 1.3 million tickets sold (88% of capacity), with roughly 500,000 visitors at the Milan Fan Village and 300,000 attending 88 nightly shows at the Arco della Pace.
- CONI’s Carlo Mornati framed Italy’s campaign as its strongest in memory, citing numerous finalists and a record medal haul, while flag bearers Lisa Vittozzi and Davide Ghiotto fronted the team at the finale.
- Legacy moves begin with the Milan arena reopening in May for concerts, the speed-skating hall pivoting to large indoor events, and athlete villages set for student housing, as Verona’s ceremony security deployed around 1,000 officers with anti‑drone coverage alongside managed protests.