The title of the Closing Ceremony in Cortina, “Italian Souvenir” is a celebration of this year’s Paralympic adventure across Italy.

Conceived by Angelo Bonello and Francesco Paolo Conticello of Casta Diva Art & Show, the ceremony is the final heartbeat of the thousands who have participated, watched and been involved in the Paralympic experience in some fashion.

The challenges, falls, victories and defeats become a shared memory; a snapshot or photo souvenir commemorating the magical moments that we’ll long remember.

As we’re welcomed to the close, Dergin Tokmak, a solo performer from Cirque du Soleil, showcased how he turns limitations into achievements and vulnerability in strength.

The German dancer lost the use of his legs when he was 1 year old after contracting polio. Now, he’s an international sensation who, with the use of crutches in his routines, is able to tell remarkable stories through movement. 

Tina and Milo, the beloved sibling mascots of the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, appeared in the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium for the final time.

The ferret-like animals known as stoats were designed by students at the Istituto Comprensivo of Taverna. Tina gets her name from Cortina, while Milo comes from Milano.

The elder sibling with lighter-colored fur, Tina was born in the Italian mountains but lives in the city. She loves art and music and her motto is “dream big.” 

Milo is mischievous and playful. Born with dark brown fur and without one paw, Milo learned to walk with his tail, and uses his creativity to invent new solutions (as well as musical instruments). Milo lives by the words “obstacles are trampolines.”

Kendall Gretsch and Andrew Kurka proudly represented the United States during the Parade of Flags, waving the Star-Spangled Banner as they processed through the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium — along with Paralympic athletes from 54 other delegations.

Both Gretsch (33) and Kurka (34) competed at their third Paralympic Games in 2026. Gretsch, the Downers Grove, Illinois native, captured four total medals (one gold, one silver, two bronze) over the past week across para biathlon and para cross-country skiing events. The only American to leave Italy with more hardware was Oksana Masters. 

Meanwhile, Kurka, a three-time medalist, claimed bronze in the men’s para Alpine skiing super-G. In the three other events he participated in, the Anchorage, Alaska native posted two DNFs and a DQ.

The duo, along with the rest of the American Paralympic contingency, collected a total of 24 medals (13 gold, five silver, six bronze) in Italy. 

The mayor of Cortina handed the Paralympic flag to IPC president Andrew Parsons, who passed it to representatives from France. The flag then was raised as members of the French Paralympic team took the stage and the French National Anthem played.

This handover ceremony essentially served as a baton-pass or passing of the metaphorical torch to the next delegation hosting the Paralympics. 

Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) made a speech about the power of the Paralympic Games.

He called Milan Cortina a “record-breaking success” with more athletes, nations, women, broadcasts and digital coverage than ever before.

The 611 athletes who competed “won hearts, changed attitudes, and challenged assumptions,” Parsons said.

“Children with disabilities saw role models who look like them in fierce competition at the highest level of sport.

“Families, teachers and communities now see ability where once they saw only disability.

“As the Paralympic flame is extinguished, the spirit it represents does not fade. It travels home with every athlete, every spectator and every viewer.”

While he declared the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics to be over, he expressed excitement looking ahead to the French Alps 2030.

A large crystal globe sat in the middle of the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, which featured a cityscape in the foreground and snowy mountains in the backdrop. 

Sofia, a young girl in a wheelchair, was escorted to the front of the globe where she blew out a small fire, causing the flames that burned bright in the Milan and Cortina Paralympic cauldrons to be extinguished. 

The dream-like scene signified the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.

We'll remember their names: Oksana Masters, Kendall Gretsch, Noah Elliott, Andrew Kurka, Declan Farmer. 

Here’s a look at the tears and triumphs of the Team USA athletes who competed valiantly at the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.