What you need to know about the Olympic torch ahead of the opening ceremony
Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the torch will be lit in Milan, Italy. Here’s what you need to know about the cauldron, which will remain lit throughout the Games.
Editor’s note: Follow live updates of the Olympic Opening Ceremony from Milan-Cortina.
milan — The U.S. team made a symbolic start to the 2026 Winter Olympics at the opening ceremony on Friday at San Siro Stadium on a chilly night in Milan. However, despite the weather, the Americans received a warm welcome.
As the U.S. Olympians entered the stadium in their Ralph Lauren ensembles during their national parade, cheers echoed through the crowd until U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, appeared on the stadium’s jumbotron. Vance was seen waving a miniature American flag from the stands at the San Siro, and the crowd booed loudly.
The United States was the third-to-last country to participate, following France, which will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, and host Italy, which traditionally ends with a national parade. The U.S. team was led by speed skater Erin Jackson, who proudly waved the American flag on a stage beneath the golden Olympic rings.
The Parade of Nations was held simultaneously in four locations, with American athletes entering separate venues in Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina, depending on the venue where the athlete’s event was held. Bobsledder Frank Del Duca served as the American flag bearer in Cortina.
As the political turmoil under the Trump administration unfolded in global headlines, Vance faced verbal jeers. Friday’s opening ceremony was preceded by staged protests in Milan over reports of American immigrants being stationed in Italy. U.S. Olympic officials confirmed Thursday that ICE agents were not included in the country’s delegation, but could not confirm whether the agents were assisting with security plans for the U.S. embassy.
President Donald Trump frequently attends sporting events around the country, including last month’s College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami and last year’s Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans, but he was absent from the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Instead, Mr. Vance led a U.S. delegation that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tom Fertitta.
Vance sat next to Italian President Sergio Mattarella and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. Vance’s first appearance seemed to go unnoticed by the audience, who instead cheered at Mattarella’s appearance. But the crowd let their emotions be known during the national parade.
The Israeli delegation was also booed at the beginning of the national parade, while Ukraine received long applause.
Early Friday morning, Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and performed several routines during a figure skating team event.
Follow CydHenderson on X @CydHenderson
Get to the heart of the news quickly with the USA TODAY app. Download award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, e-newspapers, and more.
