Olympic flame lit as Games begin and athletes take centre stage

The Milano‑Cortina opening ceremony included two simultaneous cauldron lightings in Milan and Cortina. The CBC will offer daily coverage and the author will write a daily column through Feb. 22 focused on the global athletes.

The Olympic flame was lit as the Milano‑Cortina Games opened, and the ceremony leaned into a theme the production director described as harmony. The opening combined Italian style, music and references to past Games, and organizers staged parts of the Parade of Nations across Milan, Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno. The ceremony included two cauldrons lit at once, and the broadcast teams from outlets such as CBC and NBC were preparing coverage. The author, who has covered multiple Olympics, will publish a daily column through Feb. 22 focused on global athletes. Key details: - Two Olympic cauldrons were lit simultaneously at Milan's Arco della Pace and Cortina's Piazza Dibona. - The Parade of Nations took place in multiple locations including Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno as well as Milan. - The production director said "harmony" was the desired theme and the ceremony featured Italian cultural elements and music, including a performance of "Volare." - The author has covered several past Olympics and will write a daily column through Feb. 22 about the global athletes and notable stories. Summary: Athletes were described as the enduring appeal of the Games, and the opening ceremony aimed to create a celebratory atmosphere despite wider political and organizational debates. Competitions are now underway, with scheduled events such as the men's downhill noted in the coverage, and media organizations will continue reporting throughout the Games.