Flame lit: Winter Olympics begin in Italy
Sport
The Winter Olympic Games have officially opened in Italy, with the ceremony in Milan launching two weeks of competitions across several mountain and urban clusters.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella declared the Games open. The main part of the ceremony took place at San Siro Stadium in Milan, while parallel events were held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno due to the large distances between the competition sites.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in her speech that the Olympics are not only about medals, but also about courage, respect, and solidarity that unite people around the world.
The traditional athletes’ parade was held during the ceremony. By decision of the IOC, representatives of Russia did not take part in it.
The Games will run until 22 February. Thirteen Russian athletes will compete in seven sports — alpine skiing, speed skating, cross-country skiing, luge, figure skating, short track, and ski mountaineering — all under a neutral status.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in her speech that the Olympics are not only about medals, but also about courage, respect, and solidarity that unite people around the world.
The traditional athletes’ parade was held during the ceremony. By decision of the IOC, representatives of Russia did not take part in it.
The Games will run until 22 February. Thirteen Russian athletes will compete in seven sports — alpine skiing, speed skating, cross-country skiing, luge, figure skating, short track, and ski mountaineering — all under a neutral status.
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