Italian Government Signs Guarantees for Milan-Cortina Bid

(ATR) The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games bid has received the necessary guarantees from Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

An official letter from Conte, confirming all guarantees, was delivered to the IOC 2026 Evaluation Commission chair Octavian Morariu on Friday afternoon during an official meeting at the Palazzo Reale in Milan. The letter was handed to Morariu from Italian undersecretary of state Giancarlo Giorgetti.

The guarantees include 415 million euros ($465.6 million) allocated for national security during the Games should Milan-Cortina win the right to host the 2026 Games over Swedish opponent Stockholm-Are. Also covered in the federal guarantees are health, visas, anti-doping, a special law for customs and financial support to the three regions to deliver the Games.

"I am satisfied and excited about the result achieved," Giorgetti said. "Our sport deserves it and all those who have committed themselves to make possible the candidacy of Milano-Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

"I want to thank everyone and in particular Premier Giuseppe Conte who always has supported the project."

Milan-Cortina 2026 Presents to the IOC Commission

Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago, Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala, Cortina mayorGianpietro Ghedina, leaders from the Lombardy and Veneto regions, Italian sport officials and athletes all delivered speeches during a session with the IOC commission on Friday morning. Each explained why they believe Milan-Cortina is the right partner for the IOC in 2026.

Words like passion, sustainability, commitment and dreams were heard quite often.

Malago opened saying Milan and Cortina are "two regions and two cities, but also two worlds, two philosophies, two stories and two traditions, that share the same essential and wonderful dream."

The CONI leader and IOC member declared that Milan-Cortina 2026 is "a bid of courage."

"This bid can go down in case history for the IOC – low cost, low budget, high value, efficient, innovative and sustainable."

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala also delivered a passionate speech to the IOC contingent sitting directly across from the Italians.

Sala proclaimed that Milan is one of the "most dynamic cities in Europe" and the bid "embraces the principle of sustainability and focuses on legacy."

"Milan certainly has a vision for the Games, but it also has a vision for the city and the two visions are incredibly similar."

Salo said that he is proud that Milan will open a fifth metro line in 2021 that will whisk passengers between the airport and city center in just 14 minutes.

"I cannot identify anywhere where you can reach the center of the city from an airport in 14 minutes," Salo said. In Stockholm, the Arlanda Express train currently takes passengers from the airport to the city center in 18 minutes.

The Milan mayor concluded by saying that along with Cortina "we want to organize the most successful Olympic Games that change the destinies of our communities."

The most touching and humorous part of the presentation involved three Milanese schoolchildren who enthusiastically recited what it would mean for them should their home city win the Olympic Games.

A nine-year-old boy named Oscar said: "I hope the Olympic Games 2026 will be held in Milan, it is my city, I love it and it is the best city in the world." He added, while eliciting a big laugh: "I will be 17 and I hope you will give me free tickets to the hockey games."

Italian short track speed skater Arianna Fontana, whose eight Olympic medals is the most ever won by a female athlete in the sport, spoke with Around the Rings about what an Olympics in Italy, even though she will likely be retired, would mean to her and fellow athletes.

"It’s an honor for me to help bring the Olympics back to Italy – it would be like winning another medal for me," said Fontana, a four-time Olympian and Italy’s flag bearer in PyeongChang 2018.

"I have good feelings, good vibes from all the IOC members here. I believe in this project. I believe that we are going to bring the Olympics back to Italy."

Italian deputy prime minister and minister for internal affairs Matteo Salvina joined the afternoon session and also addressed the IOC.

Morariu thanked the Italian hosts for their hospitality over the six-day inspection visit, while noting their "passion and support". He congratulated Malago and his team for "delivering a very competitive bid that we all appreciate".

The official meeting between the Italian sport leaders and IOC commission concludes on Saturday in Milan followed by a joint news conference.

Written and reported by Brian Pinelli in Milan

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