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Olympics

Photos from the sweeping 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony

A group meant to symbolize messengers of peace carry the Olympic flag during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

A group meant to symbolize messengers of peace carry the Olympic flag during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium in Milan on Friday.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

By Robert GauthierStaff Photographer 

Athletes from around the world marched into San Siro Stadium in Milan on Friday, joining a festive opening ceremony that officially kicked off the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Mariah Carey and Italian legend Andrea Bocelli helped highlight the host’s theme of unity during a ceremony that included fireworks, an array of lights, dancers and screens showing ceremonies at other stadiums for athletes whose competition unfolds in other parts of the country.

Italian athletes participate in an Olympic torch relay during the opening ceremony.

Italian athletes participate in an Olympic torch relay during the opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

UN peace ambassador Charlize Theron delivers a speech during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan Friday.

UN peace ambassador Charlize Theron delivers a speech during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan Friday.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

U.S. flag bearer Erin Jackson leads the Americans into the Olympic opening cermeony.

U.S. flag bearer Erin Jackson leads the Americans into the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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Ukraine athletes wave their national flag and wave to fans during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Feb. 6.

Athletes representing Ukraine are introduced during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Athletes representing Poland are introduced during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Athletes representing Poland are introduced during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Athletes from Team Britain during the opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 2026.

Athletes representing Britain are introduced during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Flagbearer Leon Draisaitl leads German athletes during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Flagbearer Leon Draisaitl leads German athletes during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.   (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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Ghali performs "Promemoria (Memorandum)" by Gianni Rodari.

Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan on Friday.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Performers dance under fireworks surrounding Olympic rings during the Milan-Cortina Games opening ceremony.

Performers dance under fireworks surrounding Olympic rings during the Milan-Cortina Games opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Entertainers perform during the Milan-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony.

Entertainers perform during the Milan-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Entertainers perform during the Milan-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony.

Entertainers perform during the Milan-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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Robert Gauthier

Robert Gauthier has been with the Los Angeles Times since 1994. He was the photographer for a project detailing the failings of an L.A. public hospital that won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for public service. Before The Times, Gauthier worked at the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Escondido Times-Advocate and the Bernardo News in San Diego County, his hometown.

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