Vittoria Ceretti Carries Italy's Flag at Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina opened with a ceremony staged across Italy. For the first time, the Opening Ceremony featured two cauldrons as events took place in multiple venues, including Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Arco della Pace in Milan, with athlete introductions from four separate locations.

Model Vittoria Ceretti carried Italy's folded flag during the ceremony, taking on the same honor Carla Bruni performed in 2006. Ceretti has been linked to actor Leonardo DiCaprio since 2023. Performances included a dance spectacle themed around harmony, with dancers dressed in the likeness of Antonio Canova's Cupid and Psyche, followed by Mariah Carey singing an Italian medley and ending with a signature whistling note.

Dozens of highlights led into the athletes' entrance as the world's top winter competitors took the stage. NBC's coverage featured Terry Gannon, Mary Carillo and Shaun White.

Italy, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo