What was the main criticism of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

The primary criticism was its lack of cohesion and an overemphasis on aesthetics and promotional content, making it feel more like a fashion show than a coherent narrative.

Which celebrities were featured in the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

The ceremony featured appearances by Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift, among other Italian and international stars, contributing to its promotional feel.

How did the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony compare to previous Games?

Compared to the 2022 Beijing Games, the Milan-Cortina opening ceremony was considered more organic, though it struggled to deliver a compelling narrative.

Home / Sports / Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony: More Gimmick Than Glamour

Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony: More Gimmick Than Glamour

7 Feb

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Summary

The opening ceremony was criticized for lacking cohesion despite its aesthetic focus.
Celebrity appearances by Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift drew mixed reactions.
The event was described as a lengthy promotional tool rather than a coherent narrative.

Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony: More Gimmick Than Glamour

The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, held on February 7, 2026, has been characterized as a baffling spectacle with a devotion to aesthetics over cohesion. The multi-location, fashion-centric event spanned over three hours and three acts, struggling to tell a coherent story despite featuring numerous Italian and international stars.

Notable moments included Mariah Carey's performance and a later message from Taylor Swift, which, along with other celebrity cameos, contributed to the event feeling like a lengthy promotional tool. While visually beautiful and nodding to Milan's fashion heritage, the ceremony lacked a strong narrative throughline, leaving many viewers unimpressed.

Despite its flaws, the ceremony offered a more organic feel compared to the 2022 Beijing Games. The parade of athletes from 92 participating nations proceeded relatively briskly across the various host sites. However, geopolitical tensions and political statements, such as comments regarding Iran and reactions to Israeli athletes, underscored the complex political landscape present at the Games.