00:00The opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics marked a historic moment on Friday as athletes and spectators from around the world gather to celebrate the spirit of unity.
00:11Held in the iconic San Siro Stadium, the event showcased Italy's rich cultural heritage through breathtaking performances and paid homage to Italy's artistic legacy.
00:23Just as the ceremony was taking place, our correspondent went to feel the pulse of the Games across the northern capital.
00:30Get your tickets ready!
00:33I did watch the flame go by, which was very fun. I did stand there for four hours.
00:39I was hoping to see Snoop Dogg, but I had the most amazing time just with my friends, just talking, yapping, letting time pass by and seeing the flame come and bring peace to Milan was amazing.
01:04Milan is buzzing with anticipation ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
01:09The city is full of Olympic-themed events like this one behind me where everyone is welcome to join.
01:15According to a recent poll, over 70% of Italians said they will follow the Games.
01:20The government expects around 2 million visitors with over 50,000 for the opening ceremony alone.
01:26The arrival of the Olympic torch relay and the gathering of athletes are central to Friday's main events.
01:33The opening ceremony taking place on Friday at Milan-San Siro Stadium sees the presence of around 50 heads of state and government.
01:42Giorgio Orlandi for Euronews, Milan.
01:47The 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off on Friday with an opening ceremony at Milan-San Siro Stadium in Italy.
01:54More than 2,900 athletes from 92 national Olympic committees are competing at the Milano-Cortina Games, with Italy, the host nation, competing with 196 athletes.
02:07Speaking with Euronews, the president of the Italian Tourism Board, Alexandra Pirante, said this will not just be great winter sport, but an opportunity to showcase Italy.
02:18The fact that this is the first, probably the first ever spread Olympics that roams across two of the biggest regions of our country, which is Lombardy and Veneto,
02:30is going to be a great opportunity to showcase much beyond the main points of attraction.
02:35So yes, Milano clearly is one of the major points of the Olympics itself, but clearly the competitions are taking place in the mountains.
02:45And so there's going to be this incredible connection between city, mountains, spread in different regions.
02:51And that's going to offer us the possibility to showcase how wide is the offer of Italy and also how great we are in organizing mega events.
03:01With some of its cities ranked amongst the most visited in the world, Italy is looking to draw even more tourists to the country through the Winter Games,
03:09the first to be officially co-hosted by two cities.
03:13The Olympics are going to make a change. Why? Because they're going to showcase a destination that nobody would have chosen outside the winter sports,
03:22for example, to do other types of activities. So it is very important that all destinations are prepared and that us as well, at a central level,
03:30we keep the promotion consistent, coherent, and we continue working with everyone in the best way possible.
03:36In the face of US President Donald Trump's ambitions to take control of Greenland, France has become the first EU country to open a consulate general in NUC.
03:48New French Consul General Jean-Noel Poirier is tasked with deepening political, economic, and cultural ties with Greenland.
03:56Poirier says France aims to better listen to Greenlanders.
04:00The French Consul General has confirmed that the cooperation military is ongoing and will continue.
04:26US President Donald Trump has previously claimed a US control of Greenland was necessary for his country's security.
04:34We need it for international security.
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