by InTrieste
The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics unfolded Friday night with music, performances and tributes to Italian culture, from haute couture to celebrated Italian composers. The spectacle evoked a carefully staged image of dolce vita, but moments of political tension punctuated the festivities, underscoring how global disputes and American domestic debates can surface even at the world’s largest sporting events.
As the parade of nations moved through San Siro stadium, the Israeli Olympic delegation — four athletes strong — was met with scattered boos from parts of the crowd. The athletes continued waving their flag as the soundtrack quickly drowned out the reaction. At a parallel ceremony in Cortina d’Ampezzo, however, Israeli competitors were greeted with applause, highlighting a split reception across venues.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance later drew a mixed response when he appeared on the stadium’s video screens, as did Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The reactions followed protests earlier in the day in Milan, where several hundred demonstrators gathered under the slogan “ICE OUT” to oppose U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the presence of American officials at the Games.
Israeli athletes had anticipated possible hostility amid the continuing war in Gaza, which has prompted protests across Europe. While organizers declined to link crowd reactions directly to the conflict, the atmosphere reflected broader geopolitical strains.
Despite these interruptions, the ceremony remained largely celebratory, featuring prominently designed national uniforms, performances by Mariah Carey and enthusiastic applause for many delegations, particularly Ukraine’s. The opening also marked the first Winter Olympics launched simultaneously across multiple venues, including Milan and mountain sites such as Cortina and Predazzo.
