Italy Wraps Up Olympics with Grand Farewell at Historic Verona Arena

Italy concludes its Winter Olympics on Sunday with a closing ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena, featuring top Italian performers and celebrating both athletic achievements and cultural heritage. The Games, held across Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, have been praised as successful by athletes and Olympic officials. The ceremony will formally pass hosting duties to France for the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Italy will conclude two weeks of Olympic competition on Sunday evening with an elaborate farewell celebration at the historic Verona Arena, the ancient Roman amphitheater that has hosted countless performances over the centuries.

The finale, titled “Beauty in Action,” begins at 8:30 p.m. local time and will showcase renowned Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle while highlighting the nation’s artistic legacy alongside its sporting accomplishments.

Organizers expect a more festive and casual atmosphere compared to the opening ceremonies, now that all medals have been awarded. Italian performer Achille Lauro and DJ/producer Gabry Ponte are set to energize the crowd, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attending as a special guest.

The venue itself carries significant cultural weight – the open-air Roman structure is famous for opera performances and concerts in the northern Italian city that Shakespeare immortalized in “Romeo and Juliet.”

Attendees paid between 950 euros ($1,120) and 2,900 euros for tickets, with favorable weather conditions expected for the outdoor event.

The Winter Games, jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, have earned praise from new International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, while Italy’s record-breaking medal performance has boosted national spirits. However, some protesters opposing the Games are anticipated to gather near the Arena on Sunday.

These Olympics followed an innovative format, spreading competitions across northern Italy’s mountainous region. Athletes have responded favorably to the arrangement.

“I would say … to Italy, I think that they did an absolutely fantastic job hosting the Olympics,” said U.S. freestyle skier Christopher Lillis, who commended the facilities, cuisine, and welcoming environment.

“So I want to give a huge shout-out to them, because hosting the Olympics is no easy feat,” added Lillis, who captured gold in the mixed team aerials competition in the mountain resort of Livigno.

Political tensions emerged during the opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance faced crowd disapproval and the Israeli delegation encountered some negative reactions.

Olympic flames have been burning in both host cities since the Games began on February 6. These will be put out Sunday but will be rekindled for the Paralympic Games running March 6-15.

Italy will officially transfer hosting responsibilities to the French Alps, which will stage the next Winter Olympics in 2030.