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French Athletes Lead Final Day as Closing Ceremony Shifts to Verona

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Closing Ceremony Set for Verona’s Arena, Flag Passes to 2030 Host The 2026 Winter Games will conclude with a ceremony at 20:30 (local time) in Verona’s historic arena, where the Olympic flag will be handed to the French Alps region for the 2030 Games [1][2]. The handover marks the first time the Winter Olympics will move from Italy to France, underscoring the event’s trans‑Alpine continuity. Spectators and broadcasters are preparing for a televised finale that will feature cultural performances and a parade of medalists.

Women’s Halfpipe Final Features Zoe Atkin Versus Defending Champion Eileen Gu The women’s ski halfpipe final, delayed by weather, saw Britain’s 21‑year‑old world champion Zoe Atkin start from pole position, challenging China’s double‑silver medalist Eileen Gu [1][2]. Atkin’s leading qualification score heightened expectations for a possible upset, while Gu aimed to defend her title amid a deep field that also included Li Fanghui. The event’s postponement added tension, but the competition proceeded under clear skies later in the day.

Bobsleigh Competition Continues with German Legend and British Contender The men’s four‑man bobsleigh ran its third and final runs on the last day, with Germany’s Francesco Friedrich targeting a historic fifth gold medal [1][2]. Britain’s Brad Hall remained in podium contention, while France was disqualified from the event, altering the final standings [1]. The races concluded shortly before the closing ceremony, showcasing the sport’s high‑speed drama.

Great Britain Advances to Men’s Curling Gold‑Medal Match Against Canada Britain’s skip Bruce Mouat led the team to a semifinal victory over Switzerland, securing a spot in the gold‑medal game versus Canada [2][4]. This matchup offered the first chance for a British men’s curling gold since the sport’s Olympic debut in 1924. The British squad’s strong performance has been highlighted as a key storyline heading into the final day.

Games Host Over 3,000 Athletes from 90 Nations Competing for 116 Medals Throughout the 25th Winter Olympics, roughly 3,000 competitors from 90 countries have vied for 116 medal events [2]. The schedule has featured a packed Day 15 program, including mixed team aerials, men’s ski cross, and the highlighted events above. As the Games draw to a close, the medal tally reflects a broad distribution of success across traditional winter sport powers and emerging nations.

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Timeline

Feb 5, 2026 – Training and early competition begin a day before the opening ceremony, with mixed‑doubles curling round‑robin, women’s ice‑hockey preliminaries, men’s downhill runs in Bormio, and ski‑jumping normal‑hill sessions in Predazzo, marking athletes’ first official outings on the Milan‑Cortina venues [7].

Feb 6, 2026 – The opening ceremony dazzles at San Siro, featuring fireworks, aerial performers, a Mariah Carey concert and Giorgio Armani‑designed models, establishing the cultural spectacle that launches the Games [1].

Feb 17, 2026 – Day 11 sees the men’s 4×7.5 km biathlon relay in Anterselva, intense Nordic combined jumps in Tesero, men’s curling round‑robin action, and Italy and Canada claim gold in the team‑pursuit speed‑skating finals in Milan [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – Day 12 highlights Sweden’s women’s team‑sprint cross‑country gold, Canada’s Steven Dubois wins the men’s 500 m short‑track speed skating, quarter‑final ice‑hockey clashes produce dramatic moments, and France’s Julia Simon secures biathlon relay gold [5].

Feb 19, 2026 – Day 13 delivers the United States women’s ice‑hockey overtime gold (Megan Keller scores), China’s Ning Zhongyan wins men’s 1500 m speed‑skating gold, Britain clinches a men’s curling semifinal win, and Alyssa Liu captures figure‑skating gold for the U.S. [4].

Feb 20, 2026 – Day 14 features women’s ski‑cross finals with Swiss and French athletes, curling semifinals (USA‑Switzerland, Sweden‑Canada), China’s Wang Xindi takes men’s aerials gold, Norway’s Johannes Dale‑Skjevdal wins the biathlon 15 km mass‑start, and the Netherlands’ Antoinette Rijpma‑de Jong claims speed‑skating 1500 m gold [3].

Feb 21, 2026 – Day 15 sees Great Britain’s men’s curling team (skip Bruce Mouat) face Canada for a possible first British men’s gold since 1924, Zoe Atkin leads the women’s halfpipe final against China’s Eileen Gu, German legend Francesco Friedrich pursues a historic fifth gold, and the Closing Ceremony is slated for Verona’s Arena with the Olympic flag passing to the French Alps for the 2030 Games [2].

Feb 22, 2026 – On the final competition day, France exceeds its 21‑medal target with 23 podiums, the women’s 50 km cross‑country race starts with three French skiers, the women’s ski‑halfpipe final runs after a weather delay, Switzerland meets Sweden in the women’s curling gold‑medal bout, the USA‑Canada men’s ice‑hockey showdown proceeds, and the Games close with a ceremony at 20:30 in Verona, officially handing the Olympic flag to the French Alps for the 2030 Winter Olympics [8].

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