The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics recently organized an exhibition gala a day before the ultimate closing ceremony, which will take place tonight. The gala featured figure skating celebs like Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin, and Kaori Sakamoto, to name a few.
Liu had clinched the gold medal in the women’s singles category of figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her arch rival, Sakamoto, had to settle for a silver medal, while Malinin returned empty-handed from the men’s singles.
Here are some of the most memorable moments from the exhibition gala night at the Olympics:
1. The Opening Act
The exhibition gala was divided into multiple segments. The opening act was performed by ex-Olympic medalist Carolina Kostner, followed by figure skaters like Amber Glenn, Ilia Malinin, and Kaori Sakamoto. Then came the Olympic champions, and the final act was the ultimate grand finale, involving almost every participant.
Carolina Kostner performed the first act of the exhibition gala. The 39-year-old former figure skater is the ambassador for the current Winter Olympics and clinched a bronze medal in the singles category at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Kostner performed a duet with a 3D projection designed to showcase the athletes’ journey from their beginnings to the moment of ultimate glory.
2. Amber Glenn’s Performance
After Kostner, other figure skaters who had competed in the Winter Olympics and won at least one medal took the stage, including Amber Glenn.
Glenn, who won Olympic gold as part of Team USA in the figure skating team event at the current quadrennial event, performed a brilliant routine to Lady Gaga’s ‘That’s Life’. The performance aimed to compensate for the near miss in the women’s singles, where she finished fifth overall.
3. Ilia Malinin & Kaori Sakamoto Join the Party
Soon after Glenn, figure skaters like Malinin and Sakamoto performed on different songs. While Malinin won the gold medal in the team event, Sakamoto won a silver medal in the team event, followed by another silver medal in the women’s singles.
READ MORE: Alysa Liu Reveals Why Mental Health Made the ‘Stage’ More Important Than the Winter Olympics Medal
4. Alysa Liu’s Impressive Performance
The participants were followed up by the Olympic champions, including another solid performance from Alysa Liu, who had also won a gold medal in the women’s singles. Liu became the first American woman since Sarah Hughes to clinch an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Liu’s performance was followed by an act that celebrated the host Italians and the winning Americans.
#5) The Grand Finale
The final act of the spectacular gala featured a combined performance by all the athletes. This act indicated their final farewell to the current Winter Olympics, whose closing ceremony will be held tonight, i.e., February 22.
