Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Close at Verona Arena with Flag Passed to France

In Brief

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics concluded with a ceremony at Verona Arena and record U.S. viewership.

Key Facts

• The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics closed with a ceremony at Verona Arena in Italy.
• The closing ceremony celebrated athletes and Italian art inside the ancient Roman amphitheater.
• The Olympic flag was passed to France, the next Winter Games host.
• The event brought together the spread-out Olympics for a final gathering.
• The Games averaged 23.5 million U.S. viewers, 96% more than the Beijing Games.

What Happened

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics concluded Sunday with a closing ceremony held inside Verona Arena, a historic Roman amphitheater. The ceremony featured celebrations of athletes and Italian art, and included the passing of the Olympic flag to France, which will host the next Winter Games.

Why It Matters

This closing ceremony marked the end of a widely viewed Winter Olympics, with U.S. viewership significantly higher than previous Games. The passing of the Olympic flag signifies the transition to the French Alps for the next Winter Games, highlighting ongoing international cooperation and cultural exchange.