Hundreds of demonstrators walked through Verona just hours before the Olympic closing ceremony, voicing opposition to rising housing costs and environmental damage they associate with the Winter Games. The march, titled “Olympics? No thanks,” was organised by university collectives and civic groups who argue that hosting the event harms forests, covers vulnerable land with concrete, and worsens social inequality. Giannina Dal Bosco, a 76-year-old activist, said participants were defending their area from speculation and from what she described as the unaffordable cost of attending Olympic events.

Closing ceremony ticket prices ranged from 950 euros to 2,900 euros, and the event began at 8:30pm inside Verona’s historic Roman arena. One protest banner read, “Fewer Games for the few, more homes for everyone.” Francesca, 34, who came from nearby Vicenza, claimed the region’s landscape had been scarred by new Olympic infrastructure. She criticised projects such as the bobsleigh track as unnecessary and said public funds could have been better spent on flood prevention and housing initiatives.

Some protesters wore keffiyeh scarves and carried Palestinian flags. The march lasted around two hours and remained outside the secured zone, moving from Porta Palio to Arsenal Square. Demonstrators paused near the restricted red zone, unsuccessfully requesting entry, and spray-painted the slogan “five circles, a thousand debts” on the road before continuing. Verona’s mayor, Damiano Tommasi, said major international events like the Olympics often attract individuals seeking attention and that heightened security measures were justified. Earlier in the Games, a far larger protest in Milan drew nearly 10,000 people and later escalated into violence.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.