MILAN — Fireworks, Mariah Carey and a dancing stovetop espresso maker kicked off the Winter Olympics in Italy on Friday.
Milan’s San Siro Stadium was the main host, but celebrations also happened in Livigno, Predazzo and Cortina d’Ampezzo — the latter site lighting a second Olympic cauldron for the first time. NPR reporters watched from the stands, bundled up with hand warmers and snacks. After three and a half hours, 92 countries and about 1,400 costumes, these moments stood out:
1. You see things in the stands that TV misses
Being in the stadium reveals the backstage choreography: cameras zipping on overhead cables, performers waiting between acts, volunteers pushing prop carts and even helping manage Mariah Carey’s dress. DJ Mace kept moving and dancing off-camera, and small production details were constantly in view.
2. But people in the stadium still had to watch TVs
There were six big screens because much of the ceremony — including segments of the Parade of Nations — occurred at the satellite sites. The live screens also ran pre-taped pieces and onscreen IDs for flag and torch bearers, so fans in Milan had to split attention between the stage and the TVs to follow everything.
3. It was cold
San Siro’s roof was partly open and sitting on plastic seats for hours made the low 40s feel colder. Team uniforms reflected that: jackets, hats and gloves were standard. Athletes marched to reserved seats and watched large parts of the show from there, so staying warm was necessary for everyone, including press.
4. Italian icons filled the show
The ceremony leaned into Italian culture: foam-headed opera figures like Rossini, Verdi and Puccini; a winged Cupid and Psyche amid Roman busts; runway models in Italy’s flag colors honoring Giorgio Armani; the Mona Lisa; chefs; and performers dressed as architectural landmarks such as the Colosseum and Brunelleschi’s dome. And yes, there were dancing stovetop coffee makers.
5. International stars made big impressions
Andrea Bocelli’s tenor carried the Olympic torch into the arena. Laura Pausini sang the national anthem. Mariah Carey — who has Irish, Black, Venezuelan and American roots — arrived in sequins and fur, sang part of her set in Italian and earned loud cheers for her high notes during a short, memorable appearance.
6. Politics stayed mostly peripheral
Despite worries about protests or diplomatic tensions, political issues were largely kept off center stage. The crowd showed mixed responses: applause for Team USA softened to boos when Vice President JD Vance appeared onscreen; Ukraine’s athletes drew warm support while Israel received boos. Speeches from Olympic officials emphasized unity without naming specific conflicts.
7. Athletes came in energized
Compared with the subdued Beijing Games during COVID, athletes in Milan looked excited to perform live for family and friends. Highlights included a Brazilian athlete doing a backflip in the snow, Austria’s flagbearer carried on a teammate’s shoulders, Czechia’s patterned outfits, and Greece’s coordinated dance. The women guiding each delegation — in shiny silver puffer-coat gowns and oversized sunglasses — became a visual motif as they led teams into the stadium.
8. The crowd had clear favorites
Some moments landed bigger than others in the stands: fireworks shooting from the Olympic rings, the arrival of the Italian team, and Bocelli’s sustained vocal notes drew some of the loudest cheers. Those high points read well even from the upper tiers.
For more behind-the-scenes coverage from the Games, NPR offered a newsletter with updates from reporters on the ground.