2026 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations
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Here they come, the heart and soul of the Winter Olympics, marching into San Siro Stadium for the Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo 2026 opening ceremony! Each nation, a tapestry of dreams and determination, led by their proud flag and a determined placard bearer. These flag bearers, chosen by their National Olympic Committees or by the athletes themselves, carry the hopes of a nation.
And now, the moment we've all been waiting for... the Parade of Nations! By ancient tradition, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic spirit, leads the way. Following them, in the order of the host nation's beautiful language, Italian, come the rest of the world's incredible athletes. And in a nod to future Games, the United States, gearing up for Utah 2034, enters antepenultimate, followed by France, ready to host in the French Alps in 2030. And finally, as a grand finale, our magnificent hosts, Italy!
While the Olympic Committees of Russia and Belarus remain suspended, their athletes will compete with dignity as "Individual Neutral Athletes," a testament to the enduring power of sport, following the precedent set in Tokyo.
This incredible spectacle wasn't confined to one hallowed ground! The Parade of Nations unfolded across four breathtaking locations: the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, the charming city center of Cortina, the thrilling Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, and the pristine Livigno Snow Park. And in a heartwarming gesture, nations could even name two flagbearers, a symbol of unity, with our hosts, Italy, proudly presenting four!
Here, in order of their unforgettable march, is the official list of each country's flag bearer, a roll call of champions and a celebration of global unity.
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During the Parade of Nations within the Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, athletes and officials from each participating country marched in the San Siro Stadium preceded by their flag and placard bearer. Each flag bearer had been chosen either by the nation's National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves.
== Parade order ==
By tradition, Greece entered first as the originator of the Olympics, and Italy entered last as host. Per a new rule introduced by the International Olympic Committee at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the United States entered antepenultimate as the host of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah and France entered penultimate as the host of the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps. All nations in between entered in the order of the host nation's language, Italian.
=== Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes ===
The Olympic Committees of Russia and Belarus remain suspended in the aftermath of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee announced in September 2025 that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to compete at the 2026 Games as "Individual Neutral Athletes" with no representation in the parade of nations under the same rules used at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
== Locations ==
With the games divided into four geographic clusters, the Parade of Nations was held in four locations: San Siro Stadium in Milan, the city centre in Cortina, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo, and Livigno Snow Park in Livigno. Nations were allowed to name two flagbearers, even if all their athletes were at one location; as host country, Italy had four.
== List ==
The following is a list of each country's flag bearer. The list is sorted by the sequence that each nation appeared in the parade of nations. The names are given in their official designations by the IOC, and the Italian names follow their official designations by the Milano Cortina Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.
== Notes ==
== References ==
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