MILAN -- With nine days until the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, creative lead Marco Balich said the show will be "very human-driven and human-centred" as final tests on scenography, choreography, lighting and music get underway at San Siro Stadium.

Balich, widely regarded as one of the most influential creative directors in large-scale live events, said his focus is on ensuring every element works together. "I am concentrating mostly on the narrative, the content, the beauty, the costumes and the scenography, all the different elements of the show, including the music. Everything has to work together," he said.

ALSO READ: China secures figure skating pairs berth for 2026 Winter Olympics

His affection for Olympic ceremonies was evident as he described them as "the greatest show on Earth." Balich has taken part in 16 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies in various roles, but said this edition carries special meaning. "This edition of the Games is especially dear to me because I'm from Venice, I'm Italian. To celebrate such a beautiful ceremony in the stadium of one of my favorite football teams means a great deal to me," he said.

Balich said the ceremony aims to present the beauty and imagination of Italy while celebrating sport and delivering a strong message of peace. More than 3,500 athletes from over 90 delegations and territories are expected to take part.

For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will unfold simultaneously in two cities, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with the traditional athletes' parade spread across four locations: Milan, Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno.

Balich acknowledged the unprecedented format poses major creative and logistical challenges. From a broadcast and storytelling perspective, he said coordinating four parades at once requires precision, particularly as not all delegations will have athletes competing at every site. "You have to remember who has the flag, who has not the flag," he said, calling it "an exercise of skill" that he hopes will come together smoothly.

READ MORE: Official: China facing challenges in lead-up to 2026 Winter Olympics

He said the format was designed with athletes in mind, allowing more competitors to participate without long transfers on the eve of competition. In what he described as a more "diffuse" ceremony, all athletes are given the opportunity to take part. "To me, they are the real heroes of the ceremony," he said.

At the core of Balich's philosophy is the belief that an opening ceremony is not simply entertainment but a cultural statement. He said he often measures success by whether a 14-year-old, anywhere in the world, can immediately understand what the ceremony is trying to say.

The theme of the opening ceremony is harmony. "Milan represents humanity and humankind, while Cortina represents the mountains and nature," Balich said, adding that dialogue and harmony between people and nature are essential.

That idea is reflected in the lineup of artists announced for the ceremony, including Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Chinese pianist Lang Lang and American singer Mariah Carey.

"China and the United States are currently the two major global players, and I want to show that we can join forces through beauty and peace," Balich said.

Balich also recalled his childhood as a fencer who came close to competing at the 1980 Olympic Games before political circumstances ended that dream. His passion for the Games, he said, never faded.

READ MORE: Winter Olympics: Milan-Cortina 2026 enters critical final phase

He cited the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a lasting inspiration, noting he still keeps photographs from that night, including the drumming sequence and the lighting of the cauldron. "Technology supports that, but in fact it is human power, and human power is what we like to celebrate. To me, the Beijing 2008 opening ceremony was one of the most beautiful ever, and the stadium was fantastic," he said.

Balich said he hopes the ceremony's lasting message, especially for younger audiences, will be that peace is humanity's ultimate goal. "Violence is not the answer to anything, and the Olympic Games are the perfect celebration of humanity to convey that message," he said.