Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan and Cortina (2)
As I write this blog, the finals have taken place and the Games have ended. Only the closing ceremony remains this evening. How quickly those two weeks have passed. The Netherlands has won so many medals. A total of 20 (10 gold, 7 silver, and 3 bronze). Never before has so much gold been won at the Winter Games. Did you also enjoy the lesser-known winter sports? Fortunately, the rules of the game and the favorite countries and athletes were constantly mentioned by the reporters from NOS and Eurosport.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics took place on February 6, 2026. It began at 20:00 PM and ended at 23:30 PM. The ceremony was primarily held at San Siro in Milan, but also included Livigno, Predazzo, and the streets of Cortina. This was the first Olympic opening ceremony to take place at four locations within the host country. As prescribed in the Olympic Charter, the ceremony included an artistic program showcasing the culture of the host country and the host city, with harmony as the central theme. The theme of the ceremony was ' Armonia '. According to director Marco Balich, the word harmony comes from Ancient Greek: 'It means 'bringing together' in musical terms, of different elements.
The ceremony concluded with the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic torches. The Games were officially opened by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. These were the first Winter Games and the first opening ceremony of the Olympic Games under the presidency of Kirsty Coventry of the IOC.
The parade of nations was a major fashion show featuring winter wear, where design was particularly important, with winners Mongolia and Haiti. For the 2026 Winter Games, Team Mongolia's outfits are once again among the most talked-about appearances. The ceremonial uniforms were designed by Goyol Cashmere and represent a contemporary, highly stylish interpretation of their traditional clothing — the long, belted cloak from Mongolia's nomadic tradition. The designs are crafted from high-quality cashmere — indispensable during the harsh Mongolian winters — and finished with silk and motifs inspired by horn ornaments. In doing so, the uniforms bring the country's centuries-old craftsmanship to an international stage. The clothing is comparable to traditional Mongolian folklore. See the video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dXmyip2J_VY
The Ukrainian athletes received loud applause upon entering San Siro. The Olympic Games are not only a competition between the best athletes in the world, but also a symbol of dignity, steadfastness, and confidence in the future. It is a moment when the personal dreams of the protagonists become part of the history of the state. This remark comes from Ukraine, which is about to enter four years after the large-scale Russian invasion. Since independence, Ukrainian Olympic champions have won 151 medals at the Summer Games and nine at the Winter Games, thereby establishing Ukraine on the world stage of sport. In Italy, the country will be represented by 46 specialists in eleven disciplines who have trained under extremely harsh wartime conditions. Through the successes of our athletes, the world sees the character of the nation: unyielding, hardworking, and capable of moving forward. On January 27, Kyiv released the souvenir sheet (also unperforated) with the theme 'The Spirit and Strength of Ukraine. Milano Cortina 2026'. It contains four stamps with the letter 'U' (24,00) featuring images of figure skating, luge, freestyle skiing and biathlon.
New stamps on the opening day
Two issues announced the 'Milan Cortina 2026'. Both were released on February 6, the opening day. A stamp is coming from Lithuania. The stamp depicts a skier and costs €2,00. This continues the tradition of immortalizing the country's most important sporting events.
The other is signed by Poland, a 'B' (5,80 zloty). It shows silhouettes of athletes. The composition is created in a modern and energetic style, reflecting the movement, speed, and intensity of winter sports. It is based on photographic material, the result of a photo session led by Szymon Sikora of the National Olympic Committee: the photos show real people, specifically Kaja Ziomek Nogal (speed skating), Maryna Głsienica Daniel (alpine skiing), and Konrad Badacz (biathlon). The team logo has been added.
Even more expenses
Croatia is not standing still either, with an issue featuring popular winter sports. Do you recognize them on this stamp?
Monaco also has an edition similar to Croatia, but is Monaco actually participating in the Winter Olympics?
Estonia is also issuing a stamp featuring many winter sports. Are they favorites in these sports, or do they choose a random number of winter sports? I am glad that curling is on it.
Slovakia is even issuing two stamps for both the Winter Olympics and the Paralympic Games. Beautiful designs.
In Bormio, the men's alpine skiing was held, among other events, with downhill, Super G, giant slalom, and slalom.
Romania is issuing 4 mini sheets and 1 sheet. Each stamp, of which there are four, depicts a sport: luge (5,50 lei), figure skating (6,00), ski jumping (7,00), biathlon (9,00); bobsleigh is also included in the souvenir sheet (30,00).
Slovenia has two winter sports in which they excel and which may well lead to medals depicted on the stamps: alpine skiing and ski jumping.
Milan Cortina Logo
Do you know the meaning of the Winter Games logo? The organizers of the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo let fans decide in an online poll which design should serve as the logo. 25 percent of the votes went to 'Dado', a die in the colors of the Italian flag (left). The intertwined 2 and 6 received 75 percent of the votes. The 2 and 6 on the logo (right) have a silver-grey color, which refers to the snow and ice at the Winter Games.
2030 Winter Olympics
See you in four years at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps. It is not the first time France is organizing the Winter Games. The country previously hosted Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968), and Albertville (1992). The Winter Olympics will take place from February 1 to 17, 2030.
The history of skiing is older than you might think. Alpine skiing originated at the end of the 19th century, long before the major ski resorts existed, when the first skis were primarily used as a means of transport. Then came the ski lifts, international competitions around 1930, and especially the 60s. During this period, the mountains changed dramatically: villages became resorts and roads became increasingly higher and faster. Alpine skiing reigns supreme: elegant, precise, almost choreographed. Making a tight turn becomes an aesthetic gesture, just as much as a sporting achievement. In addition, snowboarding arrives with a completely different spirit. Originating in the United States, inspired by surfing and skateboarding, it initially felt somewhat out of place, a bit marginal, sometimes even viewed with suspicion. And then it struck. The sideways stance, the fluidity, the free spirit captivated an entire generation. Every descent became a signature, a personal imprint in the powder snow, unique and fleeting. Mogul skiing , on the other hand, plays in a different league. More intense, more technical. In France, Edgar Grospiron made a lasting impression in 1992 with an Olympic title that popularized this demanding discipline, where forty seconds are enough to empty your lungs and blur your vision.
Three disciplines, three temperaments, but one shared desire for movement. Beyond the speed and the tricks, there is above all a connection to the terrain, to the mountain, to this vast playground that can never be fully tamed. And perhaps that is ultimately the common thread: floating to feel alive again and again, even when the snow becomes scarcer and sometimes more unpredictable.
<strong> More info: </strong>
NOS Sport is broadcasting 230 hours of television (of which 150 hours are live), and the NOS is dedicating approximately the same number of radio hours to the Winter Olympics, so you won't miss a thing. You can also tune in to Eurosport and HBO Max. Furthermore, the athletes are being honored at the Holland House in Milan.
TeamNL info: https://www.teamnl.org/milaan2026
Olympics site: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026
MilanoCortina2026: https://hospitality.milanocortina2026.org/en
Previous Winter Games blogs:
https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/olympic-winter-games/
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