On Sunday, February 22nd, the XXV Winter Olympic Games Milan-Cortina come to a close. The day's main event is the dream hockey final between the USA and Canada, which Americans have been waiting for since 1980. Polish fans will follow Eliza Rucka-Michałek's start in the women's 50 km cross-country race. In the evening, the official closing ceremony will be held at the Roman amphitheatre in Verona, where the Polish flag will be carried by Władimir Semirunnij and Gabriela Topolska.

USA-Canada Hockey Final

The most anticipated match of the tournament, where Americans fight to break a 46-year gold drought against the nine-time champions.

Closing Ceremony in Verona

The ceremonial extinguishing of the flame in the ancient amphitheatre; the Polish flag will be carried by Semirunnij and Topolska.

2030 Games in Two Countries

The IOC has confirmed that the future Games in France will require speed skating competitions to be held abroad.

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are drawing to a close, with the climax of the sporting competition being the men's hockey tournament final. The USA team has a chance to win its first gold medal since the legendary Lake Placid games, while the Canadians aim for their tenth title in history. In Saturday's semi-finals, Canada defeated Finland 3:2, despite a two-goal deficit, and the Finns ultimately won bronze, thrashing Slovakia 6:1. On Sunday, the last sets of medals will be awarded, including in women's curling, four-man bobsleigh, and the women's ski halfpipe, which was postponed from Saturday due to heavy snowfall in Livigno. Since 1924, when the first official Winter Games were held in Chamonix, ice hockey has been a cornerstone of the Olympic program. The rivalry between Canada and the USA, two powers from the sport's birthplace, is considered the most prestigious clash in winter sports. For the Polish team, the final note of the Games will be the women's 50 km cross-country race in classic technique, featuring Eliza Rucka-Michałek. Sunday evening will belong to the organizers of the closing ceremony at the historic Arena in Verona. The flag bearers for the Polish team have been chosen as a medalist from these Games, Władimir Semirunnij, and short track skater Gabriela Topolska. Amidst the sporting emotions, decisions about the future have already been made: the 2030 Games will be held in the French Alps, although due to a lack of infrastructure, speed skating competitions will be moved to the Netherlands or Italy. 46 lat — Americans have been waiting for another Olympic gold in hockey In the final events before the end of the Games, the Netherlands celebrated success – Marijke Groenewoud and Jorrit Bergsma won gold medals in the mass start races. Bergsma thus became the oldest Olympic champion in the history of speed skating. In bobsleigh, despite the modern track in Cortina, there were serious accidents, including the Trinidad and Tobago team, but expert attention is focused on the Germans, who dominate the four-man standings, ahead of Swiss pilots Cédric Follador and Michael Vogt. „It feels incredible to win here on this track after such a tough fight.” — Marijke Groenewoud

Mentioned People

  • Władimir Semirunnij — Polish speed skater, silver medalist at the Games, flag bearer for the Polish team.
  • Gabriela Topolska — Polish short track skater, selected as flag bearer for the Polish team.
  • Eliza Rucka-Michałek — Polish cross-country skier competing on the final day in the 50 km race.
  • Jorrit Bergsma — Dutch speed skater, winner of the mass start race.