The 25th Winter Olympic games are underway in Milan, Italy, following a spectacular opening ceremony on February 6th at the San Siro stadium. The event, featuring the lighting of the Olympic flame by Italian skiing icons Alberto Tomba and Debora Compagnoni, marks the beginning of nearly two weeks of competition across 16 winter sports. Bulgaria is among the over 80 nations participating, sending a delegation of 20 athletes, and was represented at the ceremony by President Iliana Iotova and Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Vesela Lecheva.
The 25th Winter Olympic Games officially kicked off on February 6th with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan. Skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Debora Compagnoni had the honor of lighting the Olympic flame, igniting excitement for the games ahead.
Bulgaria is represented by a team of 20 athletes competing across six different sports. President Iliana Iotova and Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Vesela Lecheva were in attendance at the ceremony in Milan, invited by International Olympic Committee representative Kirsty Coventry.
Снимка: Gettyimages
Снимка: Gettyimages
The opening ceremony, designed and produced by Balich Wonder Studio, featured a performance by over 500 musicians. The official soundtrack for the Games was composed by Dardust, who also penned the official anthem, “Italian Fantasy.”
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The ceremony also included a surprise performance by Mariah Carey, who sang in Italian.
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Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, rappers Gué and Snoop Dogg also took to the stage. Actors Tom Cruise, Pierfrancesco Favino, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Matilda De Angelis, along with violinist Giovanni Zanon, were also among the performers.
Throughout the Games, 245 medal sets will be awarded across 16 sports. Tickets for the opening ceremony ranged in price from €260 to €2026.
The Games are taking place amidst ongoing protests regarding the United States and Israel, and Russia is absent from the competition for the fifth consecutive Olympic cycle, though some athletes are competing as neutrals.
More details to follow!
Source: Special Correspondent of BTA Dimitar Velov
