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Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Celebrates Athletes, Italian Art at Ancient Roman Amphitheater
Protesters criticized the Winter Games for raising housing costs, harming the environment, and wasting public funds that could support safety and housing initiatives, organizers said.
- On Sunday, February 22, 2026, hundreds of protesters marched through Verona hours before the closing ceremony began at 8:30 p.m. inside Verona Arena, with security justified by officials.
- Protesters said public money was wasted and that hosting the Olympics disrupts forests and deepens social inequality, organizers say the events attract visibility-seeking individuals.
- Several protesters wore keffiyeh scarves, waved Palestinian flags, and carried a banner reading `Fewer Games for the few, more homes for everyone.` after painting `FIVE CIRCLES, A THOUSAND DEBTS` on the road.
- Verona's mayor said heightened security was justified as the Olympic flame was extinguished at the Arco della Pace in Milan during the ceremony, with tickets reaching up to about 10,000 euros.
- Earlier in the Games, a Milan demonstration drew nearly 10,000 people and later turned violent, while locals said the landscape had been disfigured by new Olympic structures such as the bobsleigh track, which `will serve no purpose`.
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Verona protesters say Italy’s winter Olympics waste public money
Activists in Verona marched on Sunday before the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony, questioning billions spent on venues and doubting claims of renewable power and long-term benefits.
·Pointe-Noire, Congo (the)
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Hundreds protest in Verona ahead of Olympics closing ceremony | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
VERONA, Italy >> Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Verona a few hours before the Olympics closing ceremony to protest against housing costs and environmental concerns linked to the Winter Games.
·Honolulu, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left6Leaning Right7Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution37% Right
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Right
37% Right
L 32%
C 31%
R 37%
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