Home / Sports / From Gladiators to Olympics: Verona's Arena Stars
From Gladiators to Olympics: Verona's Arena Stars
22 Feb
Summary
- The historic Arena di Verona hosted the Olympic closing ceremony.
- Athletes celebrated in a relaxed atmosphere after competitions concluded.
- Norway dominated the medal count, setting new Winter Olympic records.
Approximately 2,000 years after its construction, the Roman Arena di Verona served as the dazzling venue for the Olympic closing ceremony. Following two weeks of competition and the awarding of 116 medals across 16 sports, the event celebrated athletic excellence and cultural heritage. The ceremony featured opera, acrobatics, and pyrotechnics, culminating in a unified parade of athletes from participating nations.
Notable moments included the awarding of medals for the 50k cross-country skiing competition, with Sweden's Ebba Andersson and Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo taking gold. Klæbo, a dominant figure, set a new all-time Winter Olympic gold medal record. Norway impressively swept the men's 50k podium, reflecting their overall success in the Games.
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry concluded the Games, emphasizing unity and the Olympic spirit. The ceremony underscored the collaborative nature of the event, bringing together athletes and fans in Verona. The Olympic flag was then passed to France, the host nation for the 2030 Winter Games.
