The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics officially concluded Sunday with a closing ceremony held in the historic Verona Arena. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry lauded the organizers for setting a "new, very high standard for the future."
The next Winter Games are slated for France in 2030, with events planned across the Alps and Nice. A total of 116 medal events across eight sports and 16 disciplines were contested over 17 days, including the debut of ski mountaineering.
The closing ceremony featured a vibrant celebration of Italian culture, from opera to contemporary music, with athletes participating in a lively display. A symbolic tribute saw the Olympic flame, encased in Venetian glass, presented by Italian gold medalists from past Games.
Norway finished atop the final medal standings with 41 medals, including 18 gold, marking their fourth consecutive Winter Olympics victory. The United States secured second place with 33 medals, followed by the Netherlands in third with 20 medals. Host nation Italy achieved its best-ever Winter Olympic performance, securing 30 medals.