epaselect epa12770362 Two people kiss in front of the Olympic flame at the Arco della Pace in central Milan during the closing ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, 22 February 2026. EPA/WU HAO

epaselect epa12770268 Italian pianist Gloria Campaner (C) performs during the 'Beauty of the Games: Extinguishing the Olympic Flame' act of the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Verona, Italy, 22 February 2026. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ

epaselect epa12770183 The next hosts President of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Region Renaud Muselier and President of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region Fabrice Pannekoucke (L) participate in the Flag Handover Ceremony during the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Verona, Italy, 22 February 2026. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ

epaselect epa12770181 Italian etoile Roberto Bolle performs during the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Verona, Italy, 22 February 2026. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

epaselect epa12770140 Italian singer-songwriter Joan Thiele performs during the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Verona, Italy, 22 February 2026. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

epaselect epa12770128 Italian singer Joan Thiele (L) and dancers perform during the 'A Beautiful Land: Water Cycle' act of the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Verona, Italy, 22 February 2026. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ