Milan-Cortina hailed as 'new kind' of Winter Olympics at closing ceremonyInternational Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry said Milan-Cortina 2026 had created a blueprint for the Winter Olympics. "You delivered a new kind Winter Games and set a new standard for the future," Coventry told her Italian hosts at the closing ceremony in the Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre. Fittingly, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo was awarded one of the six gold medals he won at the Games during the closing ceremony. Klaebo made history by winning all six races in which he was entered -- and his 11 career golds are a Winter Olympics record. In doing so, Gu became the most decorated freestyle skier in the history of the Winter Games.

Source: Bangkok Post February 22, 2026 23:04 UTC