MINSK, 6 February (BelTA) – The Opening Ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympics has begun in Italy, BelTA has learned.
In an innovative format designed for athlete convenience, the ceremony is being held across four locations: Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno. This cluster-based approach allows athletes to attend without disrupting their preparations and acclimatization in the mountains.
The main arena of the ceremony is Milan’s San Siro Stadium, where hockey players, speed skaters, and figure skaters are participating in the flag parade. Cortina d’Ampezzo is hosting athletes from biathlon, alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge. Predazzo is the venue for cross-country skiers, ski jumpers, and Nordic combined athletes, while Livigno welcomes snowboarders, freestyle skiers, and ski mountaineers.
The Opening Ceremony revolves around the concept of ‘Harmony’, a theme chosen to convey a universal message of peace, unity and dialogue. The ceremony takes the audience on a journey through art and innovation, nature and the city, tradition and the future. The performance includes an exploration of Italian history, with a key segment dedicated to the Renaissance and Leonardo da Vinci. The musical program features Italian stars Andrea Bocelli and Laura Pausini, alongside American pop star Mariah Carey.
At these Winter Games, 2,900 athletes from 94 countries will compete for medals in 116 events across 16 sports. The Belarusian delegation includes seven athletes: cross-country skier Hanna Karaliova, speed skater Marina Zueva, alpine skier Maria Shkanova, figure skater Viktoriia Safonova, and freestyle skiers Hanna Huskova, Anna Derugo and Anastasiya Andryianava.
Photos by Denis Kostyuchenko, NOC-BelTA
In an innovative format designed for athlete convenience, the ceremony is being held across four locations: Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno. This cluster-based approach allows athletes to attend without disrupting their preparations and acclimatization in the mountains.
The main arena of the ceremony is Milan’s San Siro Stadium, where hockey players, speed skaters, and figure skaters are participating in the flag parade. Cortina d’Ampezzo is hosting athletes from biathlon, alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge. Predazzo is the venue for cross-country skiers, ski jumpers, and Nordic combined athletes, while Livigno welcomes snowboarders, freestyle skiers, and ski mountaineers.
The Opening Ceremony revolves around the concept of ‘Harmony’, a theme chosen to convey a universal message of peace, unity and dialogue. The ceremony takes the audience on a journey through art and innovation, nature and the city, tradition and the future. The performance includes an exploration of Italian history, with a key segment dedicated to the Renaissance and Leonardo da Vinci. The musical program features Italian stars Andrea Bocelli and Laura Pausini, alongside American pop star Mariah Carey.
At these Winter Games, 2,900 athletes from 94 countries will compete for medals in 116 events across 16 sports. The Belarusian delegation includes seven athletes: cross-country skier Hanna Karaliova, speed skater Marina Zueva, alpine skier Maria Shkanova, figure skater Viktoriia Safonova, and freestyle skiers Hanna Huskova, Anna Derugo and Anastasiya Andryianava.
Photos by Denis Kostyuchenko, NOC-BelTA
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