Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy ready to step into the Olympic spotlight

The mantle of host city was passed from Beijing to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Sunday. The Italian cities are ready to mix tradition with modernity as the Winter Olympics return to Europe for the first time since Italy last hosted the Games in 2006 in Torino.

During the handover ceremony, Milano-Cortina displayed a new catchphrase, “Duality. Together.” In many ways, “duality” is an apt descriptor of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Italy will embrace tradition, bringing the Winter Olympics back to where they were held in 1956.

Meanwhile, modernity will be on display as Italy hopes to set the new standard for Olympic Games awarded in the era of Agenda 2020 and Agenda 2020+5. Milano-Cortina 2026 will also consist of the dual natures of rural and urban settings, traditional and modern venues, and classic sports with new editions.

Sunday’s teaser for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics featured glimpses of historic architecture, and ancient hillsides, as organizers looked to display a known quality, but these images were contrasted by stylish performers, modern tech, and the prominent placing of the “Futura” emblem, as organizers hoped to depict a modern spin on a reliable classic.

The teaser video was also full of people, showing various scenes of celebration and joy throughout Italy, and it wasn’t just for effect. Before the handover, Milano-Cortina 2026 CEO Vincenzo Novari stated, “we would like to make people the true protagonists of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games.”

He explained, “last year we made sports fans from all over the world decide, through a digital vote, the emblem of the Games. This year, people have the opportunity to choose the anthem of Milano-Cortina 2026. And just a few days ago we launched, with the Ministry of Education, a competition that will lead to the creation of the mascots. Our goal is that the 2026 Games will be the ‘Games for All’.”

Giovanni Malagò, President of the Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI) shared his sentiments about assuming the mantle of host country before handover took place, stating, “on these occasions, the pride of being Italian shines through more than ever. This flag handover marks an extremely important moment in the history of sport and of our country.”

He continued, “our friends from the International Olympic Committee were convinced by a new and exciting project, based on the people of our territories and on the Italian excellences. It was our teamwork that convinced them. Now we are officially the next ones: we will walk our road to the Games as a team. I am absolutely optimistic about our ability to deliver a memorable celebration of sport and its values.”

Italy’s celebration of winter sport will also include a new addition to the sports program, Ski Mountaineering. The technical, demanding sport will see athletes race over, down, and along icy peaks and snowy terrain over both long and sprint distances.

The remaining part of the sports program will feature familiar sports seen in Beijing, though the specific event program is still to be determined.

Many familiar and well established venues have also been lined up to host the Games. Traditional venues such as the Tofane, Südtirol Arena (Antholz), and San Siro Stadium will host sporting or ceremonial action alongside new editions such as the PalaItalia Santa Giulia.

Finally, if the handover ceremony and teaser video are anything to go by, it can be said with great certainty that the 2026 Winter Olympics will feature a uniquely Italian flavor. A flavor crafted by centuries of civilization, and decades of winter sporting excellence.