Taylor Swift delivers surprise message to athletes at 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

Taylor Swift thanks competitors for dedication in pre-recorded video shown during Milan Cortina ceremony

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, offering words of encouragement to athletes as the Games officially got underway in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The singer featured in a pre-recorded video that aired as part of the global broadcast marking the start of the competition.

In the message, Swift addressed competitors from around the world and thanked them for the dedication that brought them to the Olympic stage.

The video was later posted to X on Friday with the caption, “Milan Cortina was on Taylor Swift’s mind and she has a message for all #WinterOlympics athletes! The music video for Taylor Swift’s hit Opalite dropped TODAY!”

Swift appeared wearing a Ralph Lauren Team USA Polo Bear long-sleeve shirt as she spoke directly to the camera. “I just wanted to say thank you,” Swift said in the message.

She went on to praise the athletes’ sacrifices and perseverance, calling their journeys “really inspiring.” Swift added that she was grateful fans get to “watch you do this” after following their stories and hard work.

The singer continued with a longer reflection on the commitment required to reach the Olympic level. “I am very grateful for everything you’ve done to get to this point in your life and grateful you brought us all along with you on this journey,” she said, before wishing athletes luck, safe travels and an Olympic experience they would “cherish for the rest of your life.”

Swift’s Olympic cameo came just hours after she released a new music video for her song “Opalite,” which dropped on Spotify and Apple Music.

Images from the ceremony showed Flagbearer Erin Jackson of the United States leading the national contingent in the athletes' parade at the San Siro stadium in Milan on February 6, 2026, as the event welcomed teams from across the world.