There’s a change at the top once again in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll following a busy week of high-profile matchups.

Duke is now the No. 1 team. The Blue Devils received 27 of 31 first-place votes this week after upending previous No. 1 Michigan in one of those marquee clashes. The Blue Devils received 27 of 31 first-place votes. The lofty perch is not new for the Duke program, though this is the first No. 1 ranking of the current season for the Blue Devils.

Arizona claimed the remaining four No. 1 votes and is back up to second overall after a defeat of Houston. Michigan slips to No. 3, and Houston also slides two spots to No. 4. Iowa State moves up a spot to No. 5 as the Cyclones swap positions with Connecticut.

TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll

Florida continues to climb the rankings after a rough non-conference start. The Gators move up four more places to check in at No. 7 this week, seemingly rounding into form in time to defend their NCAA title. Purdue, Gonzaga and Nebraska round out the top 10.

A pair of SEC contenders, No. 18 Alabama and No. 22 Tennessee, rejoin the poll this week. Clemson and Wisconsin drop out.

Johnny Gaudreau was at the Olympic gold medal hockey game on Sunday.

In spirit.

Gaudreau was on the ice when Jack Hughes scored the thrilling overtime goal to lift the Americans past favored Canada, 2-1.

In the hearts of all of the Team USA players.

Gaudreau, the speedy left wing from New Jersey who dreamed of playing in these Olympics, was there as the USA players carried the American flag and Johnny Hockey’s jersey while skating triumphantly around the ice. It was the most exciting and poignant moment since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

At least he was there in the hearts of all Americans.

And, we suspect, all the people who watched the gold medal game around the world.

The epic victory was also tinged with great sadness. Gaudreau, who last played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother, Matthew, were killed while riding bikes and being struck by a suspected drunk driver in New Jersey in August 2024. Their memories live on, especially at the place where their hockey journeys took root, Gloucester Catholic High, a South Jersey school located just across the Walt Whitman Bridge from Philadelphia.

Both players were stars at Gloucester Catholic, and both made it to the pro ranks. Johnny became a seven-time NHL All-Star Game participant. Matthew became a minor league player and later coached at his high school. Both were outstanding people who volunteered countless hours at a special education school where their mom, Jane, has worked for 40-plus years.

Shows its character

Sunday, the proud American team brought memories of Johnny flowing with an incredible display of character and humility. They could have easily hogged the spotlight for the most momentous USA men’s hockey win in 46 years.

Instead, they put Johnny at the forefront.

That meant a lot to Tom Iacovone Jr., the principal at the little high school that the Gaudreau brothers attended.

‘There wasn’t a dry eye in my house. It was happy and sad tears,’ Iacovone, who watched the game with his wife and three children, said Sunday night. ‘I cannot speak highly enough about the U.S. hockey team for keeping Johnny’s memory alive, and for the tribute they gave him. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, and to remember Johnny and bring his kids on the ice.

‘It took my breath away, and the number of Gloucester Catholic kids who texted and called me in that moment just (blew him away). It’s just amazing that in a moment like that, one that’s bigger than life for the U.S. hockey team, and they made the entire Gloucester Catholic family feel like they were a part of them.’

Iacovone said during the Olympics, there’s ‘been a ton of excitement’ around his school. The excitement grew as it became known that Team USA hung Gaudreau’s jersey in their dressing room before games.

Close-knit school

‘I teach U.S. History, I and I have a couple of students who are part of the Gloucester Catholic hockey team,’ Iacovone said. ‘And when we left school on Friday, I reminded them that if USA wins on Friday afternoon, it’s U.S. and Canada on Sunday morning, and everyone was so excited to watch it. We’ve been posting on our social media about Johnny’s jersey in the locker room, and having Guy and Jane and Meredith and the kids all go to the game.’

Guy and Jane are Johnny’s parents. Meredith is Johnny’s wife.

Katie Gaudreau-Joyce, who is Guy and Jane’s daughter, recently posted a photo on social media of Guy on the plane heading to Italy. Coincidentally, Katie is the dance instructor for Iacovone’s 7-year-old daughter, Nora. 

It seems like everyone from Gloucester Catholic, past, present and future, is connected, Iacovone said.

‘The Gloucester Catholic family is so close. After USA won, my daughter was wearing a USA scarf with a No. 13 on it,’ Iacovone said. ‘My wife took a picture and sent it to Katie. That’s the kind of community we have.’

Johnny and Matty Gaudreau are at the center of that community, and, thanks to Team USA, the whole world knows a little more today about Johnny’s hockey legacy.

This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore died yesterday at 25 years old. The NFL world continues to react to his death as the investigation continues in Floyd County, Indiana.

Current and former NFL players have paid tribute to the former Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Cardinals wideout. Maxx Crosby, Hollywood Brown, J.J. Watt and Raheem Mostert were among the many to post to social media in Moore’s honor.

One former player shared his insight criticizing the league for its handling of mental health issues in players.

‘Imma keep it a stack.. I don’t care, I’m retired I’ll say what I want,’ former defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko wrote on X. ‘These NFL teams come out here and post these mental health awareness posts talking about they care about players ‘don’t be afraid to reach out’ etc. All they care about is what you bring to the table when it’s game day. Most players don’t wanna get help inside the building of an NFL organization because they know you’ll get looked at differently. You go to a staff member tell em you struggling watch how different they start treating and looking at you. I seen it first hand.’

Fehoko went undrafted in 2020 out of LSU but played for five years in the NFL. He spent the 2020 through 2022 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before a two-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

‘I’ll start believing they care about player health when the Owner, GM, & head coach treat everyone on that roster the same from the franchise QB to the janitor,’ he wrote. ‘Until then don’t tell me they care cause they posted some hotline number when (expletive) like this happens.’

Fehoko finished his statement by encouraging players to reach out to him if they’re struggling.

‘I’m here for any of my brothers that just wanna talk and shoot the (expletive). I love y’all. I care about y’all. I’m here for y’all.’

Fehoko similarly spoke out after the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland.

Kneeland, 24, died by suicide in Frisco, Texas last November.

‘Sometimes as a man especially in the football world we’re afraid of being judged or looked at weak,’ Fehoko wrote in response on X. ‘Make it mandatory to have a sit down with guys cause most of em won’t take the initiative.’

Moore’s cause of death remains under investigation at time of publishing.

The medal ceremonies at the 2026 Winter Games have looked different from past Olympic ceremonies. Not only do athletes get their medals, but they earn a commemorative stuffed animal as well.

The animal in question? Tina the Stoat, one of the official mascots of the Milano Cortina Games.

This is one of those ideas that sounds great on paper, but when athletes who have dedicated their entire lives to being the best in the world at their sport finish just short of achieving that goal, many of them may not seem that thrilled to earn a stuffed stoat, as was evidenced when the Canadian men’s ice hockey team was handed their animals after losing the gold medal match in overtime to the United States.

But what is going on with these plushies? What is a stoat? And what is ‘The Flo’ that allegedly tags along?

Who is Tina the Stoat? What is ‘The Flo’?

Tina is one of the 2026 Olympics mascots, alongside sibling Milo.

The pair are joined by a group of six ‘impish’ creatures referred to as ‘The Flo.’ ‘The Flo’ are known for ‘never [leaving] their friends [Tina and Milo],’ per NBCOlympics.com. That group of six is then split up into two sets of triplets — one representing the Olympics and the other, the Paralympics.

As has become tradition in recent Olympics, each medalist is given a gift alongside their medal. In this instance, it is two plushies. Olympians are given a plush of Tina the Stoat as well as one of their corresponding Flo, while Paralympians are given a Milo the Stoat plush as well as one of their own corresponding Flo.

What is a stoat?

A stoat is a small mammal, part of the weasel family, but most closely related to otters and ferrets. One of the most interesting aspects of a stoat is how they change color. During the winter, they’ll turn white to blend in with their surroundings, taking after Tina. In the summer, they are brown, more closely resembling Milo.

Stoats are native to Eurasia and northern parts of North America. They were also introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century to control rabbit populations, but ended up having a negative effect on native bird populations.

Males of the population measure roughly between 7.4 and 12.8 inches long, while females usually come in slightly smaller, between 6.7 and 10.6 inches.

MILAN — The 2026 Winter Olympics are wrapping up today with the closing ceremony at Verona Olympic Arena.

Hockey captain and gold medalist Hilary Knight and ice dance silver medalist Evan Bates are the flag bearers for Team USA.

The United States will leave the Milano Cortina Games with 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze), second in the standings behind Norway (41).

USA TODAY Sports is bringing you live updates from the closing ceremony. Follow along.

LA28 preview: Kate Hudson has us ‘California Dreamin’

After the close to these Winter Olympics, NBC shifted to summer dreams with a commercial for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. And with it, we all got Kate Hudson singing The Mamas & the Papas’ famous ‘California Dreamin.”

Arrivederci, Milano Cortina Games

The opera characters return one last time. Rigoletto knows his work is done, and he can returnto rest in the depths of the arena, where the costumes and scenery from hundreds of shows are crammed. With a wave, he disappears into the ‘magic box’ where he rests, awaiting a new and extraordinary adventure.

And that will put a bow on the closing ceremony.

French Alps, you’re up

Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, officially closes the book on these Milano Cortina Games. And the French Alps are officially on the clock.

And the closing ceremony party kicks up a notch with Major Lazer, led by Diplo, performs. Along with MØ, Nyla and Alfa.

Final medal count Olympics 2026

The final medal tally from the 2026 Winter Olympics:

• 1. Norway: 41 Total (18 Gold, 12 Silver, 11 Bronze)
• 2. United States: 33 Total (12 Gold, 12 Silver, 9 Bronze)
• 3. Italy: 30 Total (10 Gold, 6 Silver, 14 Bronze)
• 4. Germany: 26 Total (8 Gold, 10 Silver, 8 Bronze)
• 5. Japan: 24 Total (5 Gold, 7 Silver, 12 Bronze)
• 6. France: 23 Total (8 Gold, 9 Silver, 6 Bronze)
• 6. Switzerland: 23 Total (6 Gold, 9 Silver, 8 Bronze)
• 7. Canada: 21 Total (5 Gold, 7 Silver, 9 Bronze)
• 8. Netherlands: 20 Total (10 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze)
• 10. Austria: 18 Total (5 Gold, 8 Silver, 5 Bronze)
• 10. Sweden: 18 Total (8 Gold, 6 Silver, 4 Bronze)
• 12. China: 15 Total (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 6 Bronze)
• 13. South Korea: 10 Total (3 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
• 14. Australia: 6 Total (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 14. Finland: 6 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 5 Bronze)
• 16. Czech Republic: 5 Total (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 16. Great Britain: 5 Total (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 18. Slovenia: 4 Total (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 18. Poland: 4 Total (0 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 20. Spain: 3 Total (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 20. New Zealand: 3 Total (0 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 22. Latvia: 2 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 22. Bulgaria: 2 Total (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 24. Brazil: 1 Total (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 24. Kazakhstan: 1 Total (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 24. Denmark: 1 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 24. Estonia: 1 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 24. Georgia: 1 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 24. Individual Neutral Athletes: 1 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 24. Belgium: 1 Total (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze)

Olympic flag handover ceremony

The mayors of Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo present the Olympic Flag to the President of theInternational Olympic Committee, who then hands off to the hosts of the next WinterGames, French Alps.

The French flag is raised by the Italian Air Force’s Guard of Honour.

Where are the 2030 Winter Olympics?

The next Winter Games will be held in the French Alps, involving the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. The four main clusters that will be used will be Nice, Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Briançon. The 2030 Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 1-17, 2026.

What is ‘Il Mondo’?

The song playing during the ‘Water Cycle’ portion of the closing ceremony is ‘Il Mondo.’ The song was released in 1965 and performed by Jimmy Fontana and arranged by Ennio Morricone.

The song has become a part of popular culture, appearing in the soundtracks of many films. It isone of the most well-known Italian songs internationally, ranking third on the list of the 250 best Italian songs.

Final Olympic medals awarded

The tradition of awarding the final Olympic event during the closing ceremony was first introduced at the 2004 Athens Games, following the victory of Italian athlete Stefano Baldini in the men’s marathon.

At the Milano Cortina Games, it is the women’s and men’s 50 km classic mass start cross-country skiing. Sweden’s Ebba Andersson won the women’s race, while record-breaking Norwegian Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won the men’s race.

Verona Arena

The closing ceremony for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games are being held at the iconic Verona Olympic Arena, which is located in Verona, Italy — roughly two hours away from Milan and roughly three hours from Cortina d’Ampezzo, the two host cities of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Verona Olympic Arena is the third-largest Roman amphitheater in Italy, and was built in 30 AD to host gladiator battles. — John Leuzzi

Olympics rings

The Olympic Rings are five interlocking rings – blue, black, red, yellow and green – createdby Pierre de Coubertin in 1913. They are symbolic of the unity of the five inhabited continents and the coming together of athletes from all over the world. They were presented at the 1914 Olympic Congress in Paris and first displayed at the 1920 Antwerp Games.

Contrary to popular belief, it is the five rings themselves that represent the five continents, not the colors of these rings. In fact, the six colors represented on the Olympic Flag – which includes the white background – werechosen because at least one of these colors can be seen on the flag of every nation.

Closing ceremony broadcasters

NBC’s broadcasters for the closing ceremony are Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weird, along with reporters Andrea Joyce and Lewis Johnson.

Alysa Liu on her future

The NBC crew caught up with Team USA star Alysa Liu, who won two gold medals at these Games, and asked her about her future in figure skating.

‘I have no plans to leave yet,’ she said. ‘I can’t imagine not skating next year.’

Liu had previously called competing at the 2022 Beijing Games ‘a job,’ but said the Milano Cortina Games were ‘definitely not a job.’

‘I just feel so lucky that I get to do this, and I love being an athlete. It’s the coolest thing in the world,’ she said.

Who is Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo?

Why does Greece go first at Olympics?

It’s tradition! Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and holds this honor at every Olympics.

‘It was at Amsterdam 1928 that the tradition of the Greek delegation marching first was introduced – owing to the status of the founding country of the ancient Olympic Games,’ the official Olympics website reads.

Olympic flame arrives

The Flame, the very one that lit the cauldrons in Milano and Cortina after a 12,000 km journey, has arrived inVerona. Indeed, into the Verona. It’s time for the Olympic athletes to enter the arena.

Who is playing the Italian anthem?

Paolo Fresu, one of the world’s most influential trumpeters, begins the Italian anthem as the flag is hooked to the flag pole and raised. Fresu has recorded more than 500 albums since the 1980s.

The Choir of the Fondazione Arena di Verona sings from the Teatro Filarmonico, the second venue for thisceremony.

Celebrating Italy

The Italian flag arrives and the anthem of Italy is played.

Inside the Teatro Filarmonico

The Teatro Filarmonico di Verona is one of Italy’s leading opera houses, and features performances by the Choirand Orchestra of the Fondazione Arena di Verona, which has presented opera, ballet and symphonic music for more than 50 years.

The theater is owned by the Accademia Filarmonica, founded in 1543, the oldest active musical institution in Europe. The theater opened on Jan. 6, 1732 with Antonio Vivaldi’s La Fida Ninfa. It was rebuilt and reopened after a fire in 1754, it also hosted Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Destroyed by bombing in 1945, it was rebuilt to faithfully reflect its original layout.

Closing ceremony opens at the opera

The closing ceremony begins with a behind the scenes look at the world of the opera, with characters spilling out to the arena to welcome the athletes. Iconic characters such as Rigoletto, Figaro, Aida and Madama Butterfly perform.

What time is Olympics closing ceremony?

The closing ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Where to watch Olympics closing ceremony?

NBC is broadcasting the closing ceremony, and Peacock is live streaming it.

USA flag bearers for closing ceremony

Hilary Knight and Evan Bates have been chosen as Team USA’s flag bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday.

Knight is the captain of the gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team, and her third-period goal against Canada ended up sending the game into overtime, where Megan Keller’s goal four minutes into the extra period gave the U.S. a 2-1 victory and their third gold medal in the event.

‘I’m so, so honored to be part of this team. You guys are all so wonderful. And I think I can speak for Evan and myself when I say we are all so proud of everything you guys have accomplished and the people that you are and the people that you’ve become to be here today,’ Knight said.

Bates also won a gold medal in the figure skating team event and another silver medal in ice dance with his partner and wife, Madison Chock.

Closing ceremony flag bearers

• Greece: Maria Eeni Tsiovolou (Alpine skiing)
• Albania: Volunteer
• Andorra: Volunteer
• Saudi Arabia: Volunteer
• Argentina: Veronica Maria Ravenna (luge), Franco Dal Farra (cross-country skiing)
• Armenia: Volunteer
• Australia: Danielle Scott (freestyle skiing), Cooper Woods (freestyle skiing)
• Austria: Janine Flock (skeleton), Alessandro Haemmerle (snowboard)
• Azerbaijan: Volunteer
• Belgium: TBD
• Benin: Nathan Tchibozo (Alpine skiing)
• Bolivia: Timo Juhani Gronlund (cross-country skiing)
• Bosnia & Herzegovina: Volunteer
• Brazil: Edson Luques Bindilatti (bobsled)
• Bulgaria: TBD
• Canada: TBD
• Czechia: Martina Sablikova (speed skating), Metodej Jilek (speed skating)
• Chile: Stephanie Joffroy (freestyle skiing)
• China: Su Yiming (freestyle skiing)
• Cyprus: Yianno Kouyoumdjian (Alpine skiing)
• Colombia: Volunteer
• Korea: Choi Minjeong (short-track speed skating), Hwang Daeheon (short-track speed skating)
• Croatia: Tena Hadzic (cross-country skiing), Marko Skender (cross-country skiing)
• Denmark: Anne Buenemann de Besche (biathlon), Viktor Hald Thorup (speed skating)
• Ecuador: Volunteer
• UA Emirates: Piera Hudson (Alpine skiing), Alexander Astridge (Alpine skiing)
• Eritrea: Shannon Abeda (Apline skiing)
• Estonia: Niina Petrokina (figure skating), Marten Liiv (speed skating)
• Philippines: Tallulah Proulx (Alpine skiing), Francis Ceccarelli (Alpine skiing)
• Finland: Iida Karhunen (figure skating)
• Georgia: Nino Tsiklauri (Alpine skiing), Luka Berulava (figure skating)
• Germany: Tobias Wendl (luge), Tobias Arlt (luge)
• Jamaica: Volunteer
• Japan: Kaori Sakamoto (figure skating), Wataru Morishige (speed skating)
• Great Britain: TBD
• Guinea-Bissau: Winston Tang (Alpine skiing)
• Haiti: Richardson Viano (Alpine skiing)
• Hong Kong: Volunteer
• India: Stanzin Lundup (cross-country skiing)
• Iran: Sadaf Savehshemshaki (Alpine skiing)
• Ireland: TBD
• Iceland: Dagur Benediktsson (cross-country skiing)
• Israel: TBD
• Kazakhstan: Mikhail Shaidorov (figure skating)
• Kenya: Issa Gachingiri Laborde Die Pere (Alpine skiing)
• Kosovo: Drin Kokaj (Alpine skiing)
• Kyrgyzstan: Volunteer
• Latvia: Patricija Eiduka (cross-country skiing), Roberts Kruzbergs (short-track speed skating)
• Lebanon: Samer Tawk (cross-country skiing)
• Liechtenstein: Volunteer
• Lithuania: Meda Variakojyte (figure skating), Modestas Vaiciulis (cross-country skiing)
• Luxembourg: Matthieu Osch (Alpine skiing)
• North Macedonia: Volunteer
• Madagascar: Mialitiana Clerc (Alpine skiing), Mathieu Gravier (Alpine skiing)
• Malaysia: Aruwin Salehhuddin (Alpine skiing)
• Malta: Volunteer
• Morocco: Volunteer
• Mexico: Sarah Schleper (Alpine skiing), Donovan Carrillo (figure skating)
• Republic of Moldova: Iulian Luchin (cross-country skiing)
• Monaco: Volunteer
• Mongolia: Ariuntungalag Enkhbayar (cross-country skiing), Achbadrakh Batmunkh (cross-country skiing)
• Montenegro: Volunteer
• Nigeria: Samuel Uduigowme Ikpefan (cross-country skiing)
• Norway: Aurora Grinden Lovas (speed skating), Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (cross-country skiing)
• New Zealand: TBD
• Netherlands: TBD
• Pakistan: Muhammad Karim (Alpine skiing)
• Poland: Gabriela Topolska (short-track speed skating), Vladimir Semirunniy (speed skating)
• Puerto Rico: Volunteer
• Portugal: Jose Cabeca (cross-country skiing)
• Romania: Julia Sauter (figure skating)
• San Marino: Rafael Minin (Alpine skiing)
• Serbia: Volunteer
• Singapore: Faiz Basha Munwar Basha (Alpine skiing)
• Slovakia: Rebeka Cully (ski mountaineering) Jakub Siarnik (ski mountaineering)
• Slovenia: Lila Grace Lapanja (Alpine skiing)
• Spain: Ana Alonso Rodriguez (ski mountaineering), Oriol Cardona Coll (ski mountaineering)
• South Africa: Thomas Weir (Alpine skiing)
• Sweden: Volunteer
• Switzerland: TBD
• Chinese Taipei: Sophia Tsu Velicer (cross-country skiing)
• Thailand: Karen Chanloung (cross-country skiing), Mark Chanloung (cross-country skiing)
• Trinidad and Tobago: De Aundre John (bobsled)
• Turkey: Volunteer
• Ukraine: Anhelina Brykina (freestyle skiing), Dmytro Kotovskyi (freestyle skiing)
• Hungary: Maria Pavlova (figure skating), Alexei Sviatchenko (figure skating)
• Uruguary: Volunteer
• Uzbekistan: Volunteer
• Venezuela: Volunteer
• United States: Hilary Knight (ice hockey), Evan Bates (figure skating)
• France: TBD
• Italy: Lisa Vittozzi (biathlon), Davide Ghiotto (speed skating)

Are the Olympics over?

Technically, no. The closing ceremony will mark the official end to the Milano Cortina Games. However, there are no more events on the schedule. Competition ended with Team USA’s 2-1 overtime win against Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game.

Why are so many countries skipping the closing ceremony?

There’s going to be even fewer athletes at the closing ceremony than usual.

Twenty-eight of the 92 countries at 2026 Milano Cortina Games won’t have an athlete flagbearer because none of their athletes will be at the ceremony. Another 35 will have only one flagbearer because they won’t any athletes of the other gender present.

The United States will have both flagbearers, hockey captain Hilary Knight and ice dancer Evan Bates.

While not having enough athletes to be flagbearers is a bit out of the ordinary, it’s also not necessarily a surprise. The closing ceremony always has a smaller athlete contingent because so many leave when their events are over. That’s especially true at the Winter Games, because many World Cup circuits resume a few days after the Olympics end and several sports have world championships within the next month.

The women’s Alpine speed skiers, for example, have a race on Friday, Feb. 27. The speed skating world championships begin March 5.

But the widespread footprint of these Games also makes it difficult for athletes in the mountain clusters to get to Verona, site of the closing ceremony.

It’s a four-hour plus trip from Livigno to Verona, and three hours from Cortina. Both sites had events earlier Sunday – the women’s freeski halfpipe final was in Livigno while the women’s curling gold medal game and four-man bobsled were in Cortina – making it near-impossible for those athletes to make it to closing in time.

For countries that don’t have a male or female athlete available to be a flagbearer, a volunteer will carry the flag. For those that only have either a male or female athlete, there will only be one flagbearer. — Nancy Armour

Olympic closing ceremony time

The closing ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Who won men’s ice hockey gold medal game?

Who is Johnny Gaudreau?

Johnny Gaudreau was a former NHL star who was on track to play for the United States during these 2026 Winter Olympics. Unfortunately Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died in a cycling accident in New Jersey on Aug. 29, 2024, after the pair were struck by a drunk driver.

The U.S. men’s hockey team paid homage to him throughout the tournament, hanging his jersey in their locker room. Gaudreau’s family members were also in attendance for Sunday’s gold medal game, and when Jack Hughes scored the golden goal in overtime, the Americans wasted no time parading Gaudreau’s jersey around the ice, honoring him as part of the championship team. — Jon Hoefling

Jack Hughes teeth

Team USA men’s ice hockey hero Jack Hughes slapped the game-winning goal in the gold medal game against Canada, but his ear-to-ear smile was missing something in the postgame celebration.

‘My first thought was, I looked down on the ice and saw my teeth,’ Hughes said, giving media members a big toothless grin on Sunday. ‘Like, here we go again…  I know the last time that happened, wasn’t really fun.’ — Cydney Henderson, Steve Gardner

Joseph George and Atif Oberlton were slotted as the co-main event on the Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn card. Oberlton won the opening round of the fight, but things would take on a different tone before the second round.

George collapsed off his stool between the first and second rounds and was down on the mat. He was in his corner drinking water before falling out of his stool.

George was quickly attended to by doctors at the ringside and the fight was waved off. Oberlton looked very surprised and confused about what happened.

It appeared that George and Oberlton may have accidentally bumped heads late in the first round.

George was still in need of assistance as he made his way out of the ring. He was sat down on a stretcher to be wheeled out. Oberlton was declared the winner by TKO.

‘I know I was being defensively responsible, if he fell in and a head butt happened, I just know I avoided the shot,’ Oberlton told DAZN’s Chris Mannix after the fight. ‘I’m glad he got on his feet and he’s OK.’