Climate Protesters Interrupt Opening Ceremony, Delay Parade of Nations by 22 Minutes
23 activists from Ultima Generazione breached San Siro security and glued themselves to the track, triggering the most disruptive climate protest in Olympic history.
MILANO, Italy – The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics was meant to be a celebration of sport, unity, and Italian culture. Instead, it became the stage for the most disruptive climate protest in Olympic history.
Approximately 15 minutes into the Parade of Nations, 23 activists breached security at San Siro Stadium, unfurling a banner reading: "WINTER IS DYING. YOUR GAMES ARE GREENWASHING." Three waves of protesters ran onto the track, gluing their hands to the surface and blocking the Italian delegation.
The delay lasted 22 minutes.
HOW THEY GOT IN
Members of Ultima Generazione (Last Generation) had spent months planning. Using forged credentials and catering uniforms, they walked through a service entrance unchecked. "No one checked our IDs," one protester told La Repubblica from jail. "It was shockingly easy."
Security eventually removed the glued activists using solvent and spatulas. Italian police used pepper spray on two who resisted.
THE MESSAGE
Ultima Generazione's manifesto targeted: artificial snow at competition venues consuming massive water and energy, IOC fossil fuel sponsorships (estimated at $500M per four-year cycle), and the 1.2 million tons of CO2 generated by flying athletes and spectators to Milan.
"The Winter Olympics are held on melting snow," they wrote. "The Italian Alps have lost 60% of their glacier mass since 1980. This is not sport. This is spectacle built on a dying planet."
THE REACTIONS
Jarl Magnus Riiber of Norway: "I've waited my whole life for this moment. And then some activists decide to make it about them."
Eileen Gu, who carried the Chinese flag: "I understand their anger. Climate change is real. But disrupting a celebration of human achievement… I don't know if that helps."
All 23 protesters were arrested, charged with aggravated trespass and assault on a public official, facing 2–6 years.
Security for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games and 2030 French Alps Games will be significantly tightened.
Devin Mallonee
Devin Mallonee is a sports journalist and performance nutrition writer with over a decade of experience covering elite athletics, Olympic competitions, and the science of human performance. Devin Mallonee has followed competitive sports from the grassroots level all the way to the world stage, developing a deep understanding of what separates good athletes from great ones — and the role nutrition plays in that equation.
As the lead sports editor at Dad's Sports News, Devin Mallonee brings an athlete's perspective to every story. Having competed in endurance sports and strength training throughout his life, Devin Mallonee understands firsthand what it takes to push past physical limits — and how proper supplementation and recovery make that possible. His writing blends technical analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics in sports science engaging for everyday readers and serious competitors alike.
Devin Mallonee has covered major sporting events including international track and field championships, professional strength competitions, and endurance racing circuits across North America. His work has explored the cutting edge of sports nutrition — from emerging research on amino acid timing and creatine loading protocols to the real-world impact of adaptogens on athletic recovery. When Devin Mallonee isn't breaking down the latest competition results, he's testing and reviewing performance supplements to help athletes make informed decisions about what goes into their bodies.
A firm believer that great performance starts in the kitchen — and the supplement cabinet — Devin Mallonee founded the Dad's Sports News platform to bridge the gap between elite sports coverage and practical nutrition guidance for everyday athletes. His philosophy is simple: whether you're training for your first 5K or competing on an international stage, the fundamentals of performance nutrition are the same, and everyone deserves access to accurate, science-backed information.
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