Beauty in Action: Milano Cortina in the Rearview

The flames have been extinguished. For the first time in Olympic Winter Games history, two cauldrons were put out simultaneously: one in Milan, one in Cortina d'Ampezzo. And just like that, the XXV Olympic Winter Games came to a close in one of the most breathtaking settings sport has ever known.

The Closing Ceremony was held at the Arena di Verona; a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre that was hosting events when the Ancient Olympic Games were still being contested. The last time an ancient monument served as the stage for an Olympic ceremony was Athens in 1896. The theme was "Beauty in Action," and it delivered on that promise: Italian opera, ballet, a celebration of culture that reminded the world why we gather in the first place.
But for me, the beauty was in the numbers.

Nearly 2,900 athletes from 93 countries competed across 116 events. Norway led the medal table with 18 golds and 41 medals overall. The United States earned 33 medals, including 12 golds... our strongest Winter Games performance ever. Italy claimed 30 medals on home soil. Three nations competed at the Winter Games for the first time: Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates. Brazil won its first Winter Olympic medal ever: a gold in Alpine skiing. Ski mountaineering made its Olympic debut, expanding what it means to be a winter sport.

And this was the most gender-balanced Winter Olympics in history. Women made up 47 percent of the athletes. There were 50 women's events on the programme; a record. Twelve of sixteen disciplines achieved full gender parity. When I began advocating for women's inclusion on the IOC Executive Board in the 1990s, these numbers were unimaginable. Now they are the starting line for the next push toward full equality.

These were also Kirsty Coventry's first Games as IOC President. She rose to the moment beautifully: praising the athletes as "brave, fearless, full of heart and passion," honoring the volunteers who brought warmth to every venue, and guiding the handover of the Olympic flag to the French Alps 2030 with grace and vision. I have watched many IOC Presidents navigate the complex demands of hosting an Olympic Games. Kirsty demonstrated that the future of the Olympic movement is in excellent hands....

The Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, right there in the Verona Arena. Around 665 athletes will compete in 79 events across six sports. The Games are not over; they are simply entering their next chapter.

Sport belongs to everyone. Milano Cortina proved it once again.

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