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The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are officially open, launched in an historic ceremony held in a number of Italian locations simultaneously.
With ceremonies in both host cities, 370km apart, and athletes parades in both places and also Livigno and Predazzo, it was part of what the IOC are calling the first "widespread Olympic Games".
Athletes from 92 delegations will compete at these Games. Not all countries had athletes marching aside from their flagbearers.
Australia was represented in all four locations, with the bulk of the team marching in Livigno. Flagbearers Matt Graham and Jakara Anthony led the way, with all the team looking like they were enjoying the experience amid strong support from the Italian crowds.
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The flame is lit, the broadcast is over and the Games have begun.
Well, that opening ceremony was almost as much of a marathon as the one our Aussie women will be competing in later in the skiathlon.
Torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba lights the Olympic cauldron at the Arco della Pace during the opening ceremony.Credit: Getty Images
Yes, we’re at that time of the night (it’s 11.41pm here in Livigno) where we make lame Winter sport jokes, which means, it’s time to stop typing.
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From the stunning mountain scenery in Italy to the stylish city hub of Milan, the contrast from the COVID-affected Winter Olympics in Beijing could hardly be more stark.
The Milan-Cortina Games mark a return to the European alps for the first time in 20 years, since Italy coincidentally hosted the previous Olympics in the region of Torino in 2006.
After the tight restrictions of the Chinese COVID bubble, which one athlete then described as a "sports prison", the IOC are counting on Italy bringing the "joy" back, just as Paris did for the Summer Olympics.
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