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Piano and the Olympic Games
Since day one, the modern Olympic Games had piano in their DNA. Not only did their founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin play the instrument, he also created the concept of Cultural Olympiad, a cultural programme based on Olympic values leading up to the Opening Ceremony and ending with the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Cover photo: Los Angeles 1984 OG, Opening Ceremony - The show, "Rhapsody in Blue". Pianos and dancers on the stage. © 1984 / Kishimoto/IOC
Did you know that from 1912 to 1948, Olympic medals were awarded for several artistic competitions, including music? After 48, the 88 keys continued to be heard in many Olympic venues.
Expect inspirational piano melodies at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 during the figure skating event. They are also a core element of the routine in many Summer Olympics sports such as artistic, rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics, artistic swimming and equine dressage.
Famously, the instrument is also played before and after the medals are handed in, at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Whether you are a George Gershwin or a Lang Lang fan, or you’d rather rewatch Mr. Bean in London, the Olympic Games are a piano festival in their own way.
The collaboration between Milano & Partners and the Olympic Museum is part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Cultural Olympiad programme, which aims to involve the cultural community in an open project that people can take part in, enhancing cultural and artistic excellence in the name of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which Italy will host from 6 to 22 February and from 6 to 15 March 2026 respectively.
