Protests in Verona, a few hours before the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games: “Public money was wasted”

With the conclusion of the men's hockey final between the United States of America and Canada, this year's edition of the Winter Olympics has come to an end. The most medals were won by Norway, with 41 medals: 18 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze.

“The Olympics? No thanks” » Protests in Verona, the city that will host the closing ceremony

On Sunday, February 22, starting at 21:30, the closing ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games will take place in the Roman arena in Verona. During this day, hundreds of people protested in the streets of the Italian city, showing their dissatisfaction with the problems caused by the organization of this competition.

According to Reuters, several student groups and associations gathered to protest the environmental impact of the Winter Olympics. They claim that forests are being damaged, that concrete is being poured on fragile ground and that social inequality is deepening.

Also, the protesters pointed out the huge ticket prices, 400 euros being the amount that a citizen has to take out of his pocket to participate in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

The Roman arena in Verona that will host the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics/Photo: Getty Images

“The Olympics? No thanks“, was the banner that led the protestors' procession through the streets of Verona.

“We are here to defend our territory from speculation and the impossible cost to attend the events,” said Giannina Dal Bosco, a 76-year-old activist.

“They built concrete monstrosities like the bobsleigh circuit, which will no longer serve any purpose. Public money that could have been used for hydrogeological safety and housing projects was wasted”, said Francesca, aged 34.

According to the aforementioned publication, a similar protest took place in Milan on the first day of the Olympic Games.