MILAN (AP) — Inside a cavernous tent near Milan’s San Siro stadium, classically trained dancers from La Scala’s academy mimicked Nordic walkers and figure skaters during a rehearsal Saturday for the opening number of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympicsopening ceremony, which will take place on Feb. 6.
The young dancers are among some 1,200 volunteers who have been rehearsing since November in the tent large enough to mark the actual stage while Italian Serie A soccer wrapped up its final soccer matches before turning the iconic stadium into an Olympic venue.
Click to Gallery
Creative Director and Executive Producer Marco Balich gestures as volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tailors work on clothes during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Costumes and clothes are checked during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
“The preparation of the Olympic ceremony is a very complicated journey but also an exhilarating journey, because you get to meet all these volunteers, dance classes, normal people,’’ opening ceremony creative director Marco Balich told The Associated Press during a rare behind-the-scenes tour.
Volunteers include Balich’s butcher, the head of his office and an 88-year-old widow.
“And all of them join in to create something for the nation, for the joy of being part of a huge event like the Olympics,’’ said Balich, the producer of a record 16 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies including the 2006 Turin opening ceremony.
Over the next two weeks, rehearsals will amp up to some nine hours a day -- all in pursuit of Olympic emotion for what is billed as the most viewed moment of the Games. Some 60,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony live in San Siro, including a U.S. delegation led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, while millions around the world will watch on official broadcasters.
The theme of this year’s opening ceremony is “Harmony,’’ an especially potent message as the world order is shaken and populations from Ukraine to Gaza to Iran are exposed to violence.
The concept of an Olympic Truce, originating in ancient Greece and revived by Olympic officials in the 1990s, is even more urgent this year, Balich said. The truce aims to promote peace and dialogue through sport by ceasing hostilities for a week before the Olympics and a week after the Paralympics, which close March 15. Getting belligerents to cooperate is another matter.
“In this moment, where forces and bullies are predominant, I think it’s very important for all of us to embrace the values that the Olympics represents, which is to compete respectfully and peacefully between all the countries and nations, summarized in the title ‘Harmony,’ ’’ Balich said.
Balich’s ceremony will highlight Italian excellence and creativity, including a nod to Milan’s role as a fashion capital, and eye-openers he won't reveal to preserve the surprise.
Some moments of the opening ceremony have been announced: U.S. pop star Mariah Carey, crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, Italian singer Laura Pausini and concert pianist Lang Lang will perform.
Others are prescribed by Olympic protocol. They include the unveiling of the Olympic rings, the parade of athletes and, in the final moment, the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
This year there will be two cauldrons, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's geometric studies: one in Milan, at the Arco della Pace some four kilometers (2½ miles) from San Siro, and the other in Cortina, some five hours and 400 kilometers (250 miles) away.
Director of ceremonies Maria Laura Iascone promised some “Olympic magic,’’ to transfer the flame over the final legs, given the extraordinary distances involved.
As the dual cauldron lighting illustrates, the 2026 Games are the most spread out in Olympic history. So that athletes even in far-flung venues near the Swiss and Austrian borders can participate, the Parade of Athletes will be beamed in from three other venues, including Cortina.
“This event will bring a lot of this magic and images. We keep a balance between the protocol moments that will be, let’s say, serious, very precise, and also moments where emotion will be brought through the participation of key roles and people,’’ Iascone said.
The rehearsal tent holds not only the mock stage, but also a huge wardrobe room with 1,400 costumes, some in bright broadcast-friendly Technicolor tones, and a corner for seamstresses and tailors to make final adjustments.
A sign on the door tells the performers who enter: “Your Happy Moment Starts Now! Welcome!”
Volunteer Fostis Siadimas didn't need to be told. This is his second opening ceremony as a volunteer performer, after participating in the 2004 Summer Olympics in his native Athens as a 20-year-old. An amateur dancer now living in Milan, he eagerly answered the casting call.
‘’The last few moments before entering the stadium, it’s an experience, one of the best of my life, ever,’’ Siadimas said.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Creative Director and Executive Producer Marco Balich gestures as volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tailors work on clothes during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Costumes and clothes are checked during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Volunteer dancers perform during rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, at a compound in a big tent next to San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Down 3-1 to the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference first-round series, the Philadelphia 76ers looked doomed.
Far from it.
For the 11th consecutive season, a road team has won a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs. Philadelphia did the honors on Saturday night, and on Sunday, the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors will look to join that club.
Orlando goes to Detroit, and Toronto goes to Cleveland to wrap up the first round. The winners of those games will meet Tuesday in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.
— Game 7, Orlando at Detroit, 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)
Series: Tied, 3-3.
Odds: Detroit by 8.5.
The Pistons are playing a Game 7 for the 11th time and the first since 2006. The Magic are playing their fifth Game 7, the first since 2024.
— Game 7, Toronto at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Series: Tied, 3-3.
Odds: Cleveland by 8.5.
The Raptors are in their seventh Game 7 and first since 2020. The Cavaliers are in their ninth Game 7, their first since 2024.
— Game 1, Philadelphia at New York, 8 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Odds: New York by 7.5 points.
It's the fifth time (including the Syracuse era for the 76ers) that the teams have met in a conference semifinal series. Philadelphia won each of the previous four, going a combined 14-2 in those games.
— Game 1, Minnesota at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. EDT (Peacock/NBCSN)
Odds: San Antonio by 13.5.
Spurs beat the Timberwolves 3-1 in the first round of the 1999 and 2001 playoffs. The teams haven't had a playoff series since, until now.
— 76ers 109, Celtics 100 to win series 4-3. Jayson Tatum didn't play.
A breakdown of this season's NBA awards:
— Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year: DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans.
— Hustle Award: Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte.
— Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.
— Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City.
— Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.
— Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston.
— Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta.
— Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas.
— Executive of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston.
Among the announcements still to come:
— Most Valuable Player: Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama or Denver's Nikola Jokic.
— Coach of the Year: Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio's Mitch Johnson or Boston's Joe Mazzulla.
Defending champion Oklahoma City (-140) is favored to win the NBA title, oddsmakers say.
Entering Sunday, the Thunder were followed by San Antonio (+300), New York (+900), Detroit (+2000), Cleveland (+2200) and the Los Angeles Lakers (+3000). Philadelphia (+3500, from +10000 on Saturday) is next, followed by Minnesota (+15000). Orlando entered Sunday at +40000.
The Flyers are in the second round of the NHL playoffs. The 76ers are in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
This is a great thing for Philadelphia — and a bit of a scheduling headache for the Sixers' home arena.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were supposed to play there on Friday, but that night will be Game 3 of Knicks-76ers. Springsteen's concert was moved to May 30, which will become the final night of his 20-stop tour.
He also is going to play at Madison Square Garden twice in the next two weeks, but those dates — May 11 and May 16 — won't conflict with any planned Knicks home games.
— Monday and Tuesday: Conference semifinals begin.
— May 10: NBA draft lottery.
— May 10-17: NBA draft combine.
— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.
— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.
— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).
— June 23: Round 1, NBA draft
— June 24: Round 2, NBA draft
"There’s two sides of every coin. When you go after greatness, you have to accept the other side of that." — Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, after the Celtics lost to Philadelphia in Game 7 of their East first-round series.
— Even with Saturday's season-ending loss, Boston won 57% of its games this season when missing 30 or more 3-pointers. The rest of the league has won in that scenario 35% of the time this season.
— Philadelphia's Kyle Lowry has been part of two Game 7 road wins in his career. Both were at Boston — the 2023 East finals with Miami, and then Saturday night's victory.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto, Friday, May 1, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) get into an altercation during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates a scores against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates with fans after Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, celebrates as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves walks off after the Rockets defeated the Lakers in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward/guard Keldon Johnson (3) celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrates after scoring against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Fans watch Portland Trail Blazers player introductions before Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, right, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr. during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George (8) and Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) reach for a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. dives for a loose ball during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) goes after a loose ball against Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) scores against Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama reacts after a shot during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Portland Trail Blazers, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards kneels on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle dunks during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) sits on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, left, goes up for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona during the second half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, center, wears street cloths on the bench as he sits out Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff cheers on the Detroit Piston during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes over Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sits on the court after a hard fall during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gestures to the crowd in the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Toronto Raptors in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toronto Raptors guard Ja'kobe Walter (14) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reach for the ball in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to his son guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Tristan da Silva (23) celebrate after a win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer watches in the closing minutes of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game between the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks to make a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
