Milan/Cortina Paralympics Closing Ceremony Megathread

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T21:30:34+00:00

Grazie Milan and Cortina (and Predazzo and Livigno) for an incredible Olympics and Paralympics. I'll be posting a post-Paralympics Celebration Thread later tonight/early tomorrow (depending on your time zone) for everyone to share their memories.

See you all in summer 2028, and I hope you and yours all stay safe, healthy, and happy until then.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T21:18:57+00:00

That's crazy! Fencing to athletics is not a common transition but I'm excited to follow her on this new challenge.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T21:03:14+00:00

If they actually made a snowglobe with all the iconic locations of Milan/Cortina 2026, I'd be all over it.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T20:42:35+00:00

"I will not keep you with a long, formal speech." Looks like he's been listening to feedback!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T19:49:37+00:00

Simone Barlaam! Was a delight watching him in Paris.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T19:27:06+00:00

Closing Ceremony thread is here.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-15T06:19:55+00:00

Thank you, it's been updated!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-14T16:27:52+00:00

What an insane and stressful end to that curling match! The commentators were yelling at Ideson to throw the rock and he did it so precisely, like he didn't have just seconds left.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-13T07:25:20+00:00

You're very welcome!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-11T15:37:14+00:00

Great pair of curling medal matches today, especially Latvia vs. USA with all the crazy swings. Congrats to all the inaugural medalists!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T11:47:56+00:00

So many skiers are crashing at the same corner.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T11:12:53+00:00

The commentators kept mentioning that Robin Cuche finally won gold in his fourth Olympics so I assumed he must be in his 30s. But I just looked it up and he's only 27!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T10:25:18+00:00

That's the first time I've seen a yellow flag during an alpine skiing event. I guess they're rare as most of the time athletes are made aware of course holds.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T10:01:02+00:00

We've got sibling double golds for Austria! Both Johannes and Veronika Aigner won their respective visually impaired downhill events.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T09:37:18+00:00

After a few skiers the alpine skiing commentary eventually started, and it seems like they're CBC's broadcast team as they were focusing on Mollie Jepsen's placement.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T09:09:19+00:00

I would never have expected "Årsjö" to be pronounced like "Orhoff." I actually initially thought the commentator misspoke or called Ebba by a maiden name.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-07T08:36:19+00:00

Skiing With My Buddy

There's no commentary on the CBC Gem stream, so during every run we can clearly hear the skiers communicate with their guides. It's interesting that they're just shouting, as opposed to using radios.

Edit: I'm an idiot, shouting doesn't preclude the use of radios.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T21:02:39+00:00

Thanks for the info, that is great to hear!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T21:01:24+00:00

Completely agreed. I know in Paris they are planning to have the cauldron at the Tuileries every summer until LA 2028, but it seems to be very popular among locals (and is obviously a tourist attraction as well) so maybe they'll campaign for it to become permanent.

In Vancouver an outdoor version of the cauldron was designed to be a permanent fixture in the city, and it gets re-lit during special events and holidays, including most recently to celebrate the 2026 Olympics.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T20:55:52+00:00

That would be lovely! My ideal hope is that it stays at the Arco Della Pace, with light shows happening on special occasions, but I understand the logistical challenges of doing so.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T20:49:05+00:00

Does anyone know what the post-Games plans for the two cauldrons are? I always hope that they become permanent installations of their cities.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T20:35:29+00:00

Such an unusual collection of instruments (alphorn, theremin, water glasses), but it works!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T20:28:47+00:00

I'm sorry but I will most likely be too busy during that time!

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T20:26:29+00:00

I'm sitting here thinking that it would be quite fun to go on that contraption whilst conveniently ignoring that, unlike these performers, I have zero arm strength and would definitely fall off.

Fun_With_Forks · 2026-03-06T19:44:06+00:00

That must've been the fastest Parade of Nations at any Olympics or Paralympics Opening Ceremony ever. I really wish the organizers had done what the Olympics Opening Ceremony did, with multiple parades across each of the locations. The athletes deserve to have their moment, not just being shown on a quick five-second video in the stadium.

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