One of the biggest factors in my decision to come to Franklin was the promise of adventure. So when my friend Eleanor Coen ‘26 and I saw tickets go on sale for the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Olympics we knew we had to go. Living less than an hour and half from Milan by train meant that we were easily able to travel into the city on February 6th. It was the first time either of us had visited the historic San Siro Stadium for both of us and it certainly did not disappoint. It was incredible to look out at the tens of thousands of other spectators and see the excitement and love for sport. We witnessed an unforgettable night as the Games officially began in Italy.
Centered on the theme “Armonia,” or harmony, the ceremony opened with a performance by Mariah Carey of "Volare," and culminated in a stirring rendition of “Nessun Dorma” by legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli. Following his performance, two Olympic cauldrons were lit simultaneously, one in Milan and one in Cortina. The Parade of Nations featured athletes from 93 countries, beginning with Greece and concluding with host nation Italy, accompanied by modern and classical Italian music. A centennial tribute honored 100 years of the Winter Olympic Games, blending animation, live performance, and the event’s mascots, Tina (the Olympics mascot named for Cortina) and Milo (the Paralympics mascot named for Milano). A message from Academy Award winner Charlize Theron reminded the audience of the importance of peace and unity in a world filled with so much conflict. We left the ceremony feeling uplifted and there was a sense of togetherness in the crowd, with Eleanor and I getting to speak with a number of other spectators as we left San Siro.
Two weeks later, Eleanor and I were back in Milan to see the Women’s Ice Hockey bronze medal game. It was pure coincidence that the matchup was between Sweden and Switzerland but we were thrilled to support the country that has become our home over the last four years. Decked out in white and red, and holding a Swiss flag between us, we sat through sixty minutes of regulation time before heading into ten minutes of overtime. With one minute left on the clock, the Swiss women scored and won the bronze medal! It was incredibly special to witness the Swiss women win their second ever ice hockey medal, twelve years after their first, and our voices were hoarse from cheering by the time we left the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Getting to attend multiple Olympic events was a powerful reminder that the Olympic spirit extends far beyond sport, celebrating shared humanity, beauty and peace on a truly global stage. In many ways the spirit of Franklin is aligned with this. As a community, we represent countries from across the globe, and we all come together with mutual respect and understanding. Just as the Olympics celebrate excellence, hard work, and achievement, Franklin is a place where students strive for academic and personal success. Both Franklin and the Olympics have created global communities where diversity is valued and individuals learn from one another, and I feel incredibly lucky that through one, I have had the chance to participate in the other. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and like so many of my Franklin memories, I will cherish it forever.
By Veronica Wagstaff '26
