(ATR) Turin, Milan, and Cortina d’Ampezzo will be submitted as co-signatories in Italy’s candidature for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Around the Rings has learned.
Amid speculation that one of the three cities would be put forth as a primary host city, a CONI official noted that approval of the unprecedented three-city joint bid was granted from the IOC in discussions held last week.
"The IOC needs to regenerate the image of the Olympic Winter Games," said the CONI spokesperson, noting that the acceptance of the multi-city bid is an "innovative, new idea for the Winter Games".
"It is the best solution for the future," he added.
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) general assembly unanimously ratified the three-city candidature on Wednesday.
The CONI official insisted that there is full government support divided across the three cities.
All three cities have previously played an active role in winter sports and the Olympic movement, with Cortina d’Ampezzo having hosted the Winter Games in 1956 and Turin in 2006.
Milan hosted the 2018 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and will be also be the host city for the 134th IOC Session in 2019, where the 2026 Winter Games city will be determined. In another first, the CONI official confirmed that plans are moving forward as the IOC has granted acceptance for Italy to host the session, despite its bid for the Games to be awarded at the session. Milan has been preparing to host the session since October 2016.
Additionally, the CONI spokesperson noted that the northern Italian Alps resort of Bormio will also be integrated into the candidature as a fourth venue cluster. The former World Alpine Ski Championships and annual Alpine World Cup host is likely to host freestyle skiing and biathlon events.
Cortina, which is on course to host the 2021 Alpine Ski World Championships, will be the location for all alpine ski events, with the possible exception of the slalom, which could be contested in Sestriere.
Milan’s 80,000-capacity San Siro Stadium will be used for the opening ceremony, the largest venue ever for a Winter Games opening.
Turin will host speed skating and sliding events at venues for the 2006 Games, while ski jumping will be held in Val di Fiemme and figure skating in Milan.
According to CONI, no new venues will be constructed. Only existing and temporary venues will be used. Venue costs will not exceed 400 million Euros ($467 million).
Milan and Turin are located 120 kilometers (75 miles) apart, but within a 40-minute ride by high-speed train. The southern Dolomites resort of Cortina is approximately 400 kilometers (249 miles) from Milan and is about a five-hour drive.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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