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Political Tensions Surface at Slick Milano Cortina Opening Ceremony

The ceremony featured dual cauldrons and honored Italian culture amid protests and mixed crowd reactions, including strong support for Ukrainian athletes, officials said.

  • On Friday, Italian President Sergio Mattarella declared the Games open at Milan's San Siro, linking to celebrations in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
  • The ceremony showcased Italy's history, arts and fashion and included a tribute to Giorgio Armani, while athletes paraded in Livigno and Predazzo across a Games spread over 22,000 square kilometres.
  • Two Olympic cauldrons were lit simultaneously for the first time, one at Milan's Arco della Pace by Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, and the other in Cortina's Piazza Dibona by Sofia Goggia.
  • Crowd reactions ranged from jeers to cheers as US Vice President JD Vance drew jeers in the Milan stadium while the Israeli team faced booing and cheers for Ukrainian athletes.
  • A series of protests in Milan unfolded on Friday opposing perceived ICE involvement, while locals reported blocked access at Corso Italia, Cortina, and competitors watched on screens.
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Reuters broke the news in United Kingdom on Friday, February 6, 2026.
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