Milano Cortina 2026 invitations sent with One year to go

 Milano Cortina 2026 invitations sent with One year to go

by Philip Barker

Milano Cortina 2026 invitations sent with One year to go.

The invitations to take part in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have been despatched after a ceremony at Milan’s Teatro Stehler.

“Milano, Cortina, and all our Italian friends are ready to welcome the best winter sport athletes of the planet with open arms, with the renowned Italian hospitality and with their love for sport,” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malagò was joined by 2008 swimming gold medallist and IOC member Federica Pellegrini and her fellow gold medallist Amos Mosaner who won gold at Beijing 2022 in mixed curling.

Gymnastics champion Dimosthenis Tampakos represented Greece at the ceremony to reflect their heritage as the home of the ancient Games.

Beijing 2022, the most recent Winter Olympic hosts sent badminton champion Li Lingwei to receive their invitation.

As the designated venue of the 2030 Winter Games, French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) Secretary Astrid Guyart was also part of the presentation party.

Four-time Olympic speedskater Catherine Raney Norman, leader of the Utah Olympic Legacy foundation was presented with an invitation on behalf of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee reflecting their position as future hosts of the Summer Games at Los Angeles 2028 and the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Australian curlers Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt were also in attendance to reflect Brisbane as Olympic hosts in 2032.

“The athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement. What better way to honour our ancient heritage and to manifest our faith in the future than through the presence of Olympians representing the National Olympic Committees of our Greek roots and the hosts of the immediate past and future Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games. They symbolise the continuity of the Olympic Games, rooted in history and always advancing towards a brighter future,” Bach insisted.

“The excitement is building and has already reached millions of people. Programmes like Italia dei Giochi, Gen26 and the Cultural Olympiad are spreading the Olympic values, promoting active lifestyles, and blending sport and culture all across Italy. The Torch Relay will bring the Olympic flame to every Italian province. The volunteer programme has attracted nearly four times as many applications as there are positions, reflecting the immense enthusiasm for these Olympic Winter Games. All of this and countless other initiatives demonstrate in a wonderful way that the legacy of Milano Cortina 2026 is taking shape long before the lighting of the Olympic flame.”

Some 2,900 competitors from around 90 nations are expected to take part in the Games which are scheduled to begin on February 6th next year.

Among the eight sports to be included for the first time will be ski mountaineering.

The ceremony comes only a week after Dolomiti Valtellina was confirmed as the host for the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games. They are expected to make use of many of the Olympic installations.

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