The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially concluded on Sunday, following 17 days of competition that showcased groundbreaking achievements and China's finest performance at an overseas Winter Games.

The closing ceremony, held at the spectacular Verona Arena, was a heartwarming celebration of Italian music and dance, blending both classic and contemporary elements, marking the finale of the most geographically dispersed Winter Olympics ever.

With the twin Olympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo extinguished, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry officially declared the Games closed in her remarks at the ceremony.

Throughout the competition, a total of 116 medal events unfolded across eight Olympic sports and 16 disciplines, highlighted by the debut of ski mountaineering, bringing fresh excitement to the athletic spectacle. Norway topped the medal tally, proudly claiming the most podium finishes, followed closely by the United States and the Netherlands.

Host nation Italy delivered an impressive performance, finishing fourth overall with 10 golds, six silvers, and 14 bronzes, its strongest showing in Winter Olympic history. The triumphs were celebrated nationwide, a testament to Italy's growing prowess on the snowy stage.

China, meanwhile, represented with its largest-ever delegation at an overseas Winter Olympics, sending 126 athletes to compete in 91 events across 15 disciplines. The Chinese team concluded the Games with a medal total of five golds, four silvers, and six bronzes. This achievement not only marked its best performance at an overseas Winter Games but also equaled its overall medal count from Beijing 2022.