Under the lights of Verona’s ancient Roman amphitheater, the torch of the Winter Olympics was officially passed from one Alpine nation to another, marking the symbolic start of a new chapter. As fireworks illuminated the Roman amphitheater, athletes from around the world gathered one last time for the evening’s most symbolic moment: the traditional handover ceremony.

During the broadcast, mayors of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo presented the Olympic flag to IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who then entrusted it to the representatives of the next host region. Their enthusiasm was on full display as they waved the flag in joy before the program transitioned to the French national anthem.

The handover segment, which occurs toward the end of every Olympic Closing Ceremony, follows a sequence of protocols established over decades. It begins with the raising of the Greek flag and the performance of the Greek national anthem, a tribute to the birthplace of the ancient Games. The Olympic anthem is then sung as the official flag is slowly lowered. This descent marks the formal conclusion of the host nation’s responsibilities.

“The handover ceremony is the first chapter of our history, a story that is at the very beginning. It’s obviously a positive, elegant, minimalist message. At the same time, a thank you message to our Italian neighbours who have also staged the Games in the Alps and who have worked hard to bring the Winter Games back to Europe,” said Mathieu Sakkas, brand director of French Alps 2030.

The waving of the flag by the visibly enthusiastic French delegation before the broadcast cut to their national anthem was a preview of the energy the region intends to bring to its preparations.

The coming years will bring detailed planning, infrastructure development, and the inevitable challenges of organizing an event of such magnitude. But on this February evening in Verona, as the flag finally rested in French hands and the national anthem swelled, the focus was simply on the handshake between neighbors, the passing of a torch, and the promise of Winter Games to come.

While the handover ceremony marked the symbolic end of the Milan Games and the look ahead to 2030, the final results cemented the legacy of the athletes who competed. The final medal count tells a story of national dominance and individual historic achievements.

The Milan Winter Olympics were a blast for sports enthusiasts

Norway once again proved they are the undisputed kings of winter, running away with a total of 41 medals thanks to a historic performance in cross-country skiing led by the legendary Johannes Klæbo, who made history by winning six titles to become the most decorated athlete in a single Winter Games. They won 18 gold medals, as their athletes excelled particularly in cross-country skiing, claiming 14 medals, including seven gold.

The United States secured second place with 33 medals overall and 12 golds, highlighted by Jack Hughes’ overtime winner that clinched the men’s hockey final against Canada.

“My first thought was, I looked down on the ice and saw my teeth. Like, here we go again. … I know the last time that happened wasn’t really fun,” Hughes confessed after the gold medal game.

The Netherlands finished third with 20 medals, an extraordinary tally achieved entirely in speed skating and short track, including 10 golds. Host nation Italy delivered a spectacular performance to claim fourth place with 30 medals, while Germany finished fifth with 26 medals.