MILAN (AP) — Inside a vast tent adjacent to the San Siro Stadium, dancers trained at La Scala’s academy engaged in rehearsals for the opening number of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The grand opening ceremony is slated for February 6, providing an early glimpse of the intricate preparations underway for this significant worldwide event.
Around 1,200 volunteers, including classically trained dancers, have been rehearsing since November in the tent, which simulates the actual stage. As the Italian Serie A soccer league wraps up its final matches, attention is shifting to transforming San Siro into an Olympic venue. Leading up to the ceremony, rehearsals will intensify, with volunteers practicing for up to nine hours a day to evoke the anticipated Olympic spirit. An audience of approximately 60,000 is expected to attend live at San Siro, including a U.S. delegation led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, while millions are anticipated to watch worldwide through various broadcasters.
Marco Balich, the creative director for the ceremony and a veteran with 16 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies under his belt, characterized the preparation as both complicated and exhilarating. Balich expressed the joy of collaborating with a diverse group of volunteers, ranging from local tradespeople to an 88-year-old widow, all united in creating a celebration for the nation and the Olympic spirit.
The theme of the upcoming opening ceremony is "Harmony," a particularly resonant message amid global unrest, marked by conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. Balich emphasized the urgent need for an Olympic Truce—a concept with roots in ancient Greece, aimed at promoting peace through sports. This year's truce calls for the cessation of hostilities one week before the Olympics and one week after the Paralympics, which conclude on March 15. Balich highlighted the importance of upholding Olympic values of respectful and peaceful competition among nations.
The ceremony will showcase Italian excellence and creativity, incorporating aspects of Milan's status as a fashion capital while retaining a few surprises under wraps. Confirmed performances at the ceremony will include U.S. pop star Mariah Carey, tenor Andrea Bocelli, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, Italian singer Laura Pausini, and concert pianist Lang Lang. Standard Olympic protocol will also dictate events like the unveiling of the Olympic rings, the parade of athletes, and the climactic lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
This year will see the introduction of two Olympic cauldrons, inspired by the geometric studies of Leonardo da Vinci. One cauldron will be situated in Milan near Arco della Pace, approximately four kilometers from San Siro, while the other will be located in Cortina, which is about 400 kilometers away. Directors of the ceremony, including Maria Laura Iascone, have promised a display of "Olympic magic" to transfer the flame across these considerable distances.
Significantly, the 2026 Games will be the most geographically spread out in Olympic history, necessitating the inclusion of live stream appearances from three additional venues, including Cortina, for the Parade of Athletes. This event aims to strike a balance between serious ceremonial protocol and emotionally engaging moments involving key figures.
The rehearsal tent not only features the mock stage but also hosts a wardrobe department with 1,400 costumes, including vividly colored outfits for optimal broadcast visibility. As the seamstresses and tailors finalize adjustments, a welcoming sign greets performers with the message: "Your Happy Moment Starts Now! Welcome!"
Among the enthusiastic volunteers is Fostis Siadimas, an amateur dancer and veteran of the Olympic experience, having participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Now residing in Milan, Siadimas eagerly responded to the casting call for the opening ceremony, stating that the moments just before entering the stadium rank among the best of his life.
