The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina concluded on Sunday, February 22nd, with a closing ceremony that saw the Olympic flag officially passed to France, the host nation for the 2030 Winter Games. French athletes achieved a record 23 medals, including eight golds, with Lou Jeanmonnot and Mathis Desloges serving as flag bearers. The handover ceremony, themed around light and featuring artistic performances and a film, was accepted by Renaud Muselier and Fabrice Pannekoucke, presidents of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, respectively. The Olympic flag will make its return to France in Albertville for a special event, with the Prime Minister in attendance, ahead of the upcoming Paralympic Games starting March 6th.