Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli

Highlights from the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milano Cortina

The 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony on February 6, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This marked the first time the Games were hosted across two main sites, emphasizing harmony and Italian culture. The event featured vibrant performances, athlete parades, and the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons.

Star Performers Take the Stage

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli delivered a powerful rendition of "Nessun Dorma," symbolizing Italian excellence and bringing the crowd to its feet as the Olympic torch entered the San Siro stadium.

American singer Mariah Carey, dressed in a sparkling white outfit by Italian designer Fausto Puglisi, performed a medley including the classic Italian song "Volare" (Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu) in Italian, followed by her own track "Nothing is Impossible." Despite questions about her heritage, Mariah Carey is not Italian; she has Irish roots from her mother and African American and Afro-Venezuelan descent from her father. Her exposure to Italian came from her mother's opera background, where she practiced arias in the language.

Other performers included Laura Pausini, Ghali, and Cecilia Bartoli, blending pop, opera, and rap to celebrate diversity.

Key Figures and Historic Moments

Kirsty Coventry, the first female and first African IOC President, delivered a message of unity, drawing from her experience as a Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer. She carried the Olympic torch in Milan and declared the Games open, highlighting themes of kindness and respect.

The ceremony also honored Italian legends like Sofia Goggia and Alberto Tomba, who lit the cauldrons.

Where to Watch the Olympics

In the US, the 2026 Winter Olympics are broadcast on NBC, with live streaming available on Peacock. Coverage includes all events from curling to figure skating.

Users can write and read similar articles at Synex. Sources: Olympics.com, USA Today, NBC News, BBC Sport, CNN.