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The 2026 Olympics opening ceremony marked the first time an all-female honor guard introduced the national anthem and raised the hosting country's flag.
Olympics 2026: Meet the Team USA Athletes Going for Gold in the Milan Cortina Winter Games
The 2026 Winter Olympics is already one for the history books.
As the Milano Cortina Winter Games kicked off on Feb. 6, the honor guard marked a historic milestone by being the first-ever all-female group to introduce the host country's national anthem at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
The salute began with more than four dozen models clad in custom-made Giorgio Armani suits representing the colors of the Italian flag parading down a walkway at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.
As singer Laura Pausini began performing the Italian national anthem “Il Canto degli Italiani," cameras cut to the scene at Cortina d'Ampezzo, the ski resort town co-hosting the Games. There, the all-female honor guard were presented with the Italian flag.
The flag was simultaneously raised in both Milan and Cortina, celebrating the fact that two different cities are co-hosting the Games for the first time in Olympic history.
But that wasn't the only can't-miss moment from the Opening Ceremony.
Mariah Carey stole the show with her rendition of Domenico Modugno's "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)." Clad in a sparkling white gown with a billowing feather boa, the Grammy winner sung the Italian classic before transitioning to her 2025 track "Nothing Is Impossible," complete with her iconic whistle tone high notes.
"I can't believe it," Mariah said of her Olympic gig during an appearance on The Big Tigger Morning Show last month. "I have to sing in Italian."
WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty Images
Other musical icons were also honored at the Opening Ceremony, including Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini. During a dance number, three performers donned oversized heads of the late composers as a tribute to Italy's music scene.
As for the Parade of Nations? As tradition, athletes representing Greece—the birthplace of the Olympics—led the pack into the stadium. The countries then proceeded into the stadium in alphabetical order in accordance to their names in Italian.
United States and France rounded out the parade as the respective succeeding and preceding hosts of the Games, with athletes from Italy entering the stadium last as representatives of the hosting country.
To see all the highlights from the Opening Ceremony, keep reading...
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Grand Beginning
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 begins at the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 6.
PETER KNEFFEL/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock
Fueling the Games
The Olympic torch arrives in Italy following a journey of 7,500 miles.
Jamie Squire/Pool Photo via AP
The Torch Arrives
Torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron.
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Official Kickoff
The Games begin as the cauldron is lit.
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Popping Off
The lively event concludes with fireworks above the stadium.
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Charlize Theron Cameo
The actress speaks out with a message on peace inspired by Nelson Mandela.
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In the Spotlight
Charlize Theron walks out on the stage, saying, "Peace is not just the absence of conflict. Peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference.”
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Lighting Up the Olympics
Dancers entertain the crowd with a performance in an abstract web.
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Team Switzerland
The Swiss stars shine bright in red outfits to match their flag.
Henk Jan Dijks/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock
Retro Vibes
A look inside the opening skit at San Siro Stadium.
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United
The flags of participating countries are shown.
Henk Jan Dijks/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock
Ghali's moment
Italian rapper Ghali switches things up.
Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP via Getty Images
A Dolce Vita Performance
The famed Italian singer performs in his signature style.
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Italy's President Address
President Sergio Mattarella delivers his opening remarks.
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A Word from the International Olympic Committee
The president of the IOC takes the stage to address the crowd.
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Checking Back In
The White Lotus actress Sabrina Impacciatore performs after all the athlete's arrivals
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A Performance to Remember
Sabrina's dance is full of on-stage flair
Henk Jan Dijks/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock
Tribute to Winter Sports
The dancers don winter gear to nod toward the sports represented at Olympics 2026.
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A Grand Finale
The dancers join together for one last pose on stage.
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All Set
With every country represented, the athlete procession comes to an end.
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Team USA
Born in the USA. The patriotic team waves their flags as they head into the arena.
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JD Vance & Usha Vance
The US Vice President and his wife support Team USA.
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Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
Team USA greets the crowd inside the arena.
Richard Ellis/UPI/Shutterstock
First, Let's Take a Selfie
Women from Team USA group together for a quick pic.
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Team Ireland
Great craic. The Irish athletes head into the arena.
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Team North Macedonia
A sunny moment. Team North Macedonia waves their flag.
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Team Denmark
Go'dav! The Denmark athletes make their mark.
Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images
Team Lebanon
Going with a theme. Team Lebanon takes colors from their flag to curate their outfits.
JOEL MARKLUND/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock
Team France
Bonjour! The French athletes sport white and wave their flag to enter the games.
Henk Jan Dijks/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock
Team Italy
Ciao! The Olympics 2026 hosts make their grand entrance.
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