As the Winter Olympics draw near in Italy, athletes from various countries will be accommodated in six Olympic villages spread across Milano Cortina 2026, extending from Milan to the Antholz Valley.
Organizing such a vast event has presented challenges, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) emphasizing reduced travel between clusters to minimize environmental impact.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry acknowledged the added complexities of dispersing the Games’ footprint in Italy, aiming for sustainability by utilizing existing venues. Post-Olympics, the IOC plans to assess the balance between sustainability and fan, National Olympic Committees, and athlete experience.
A working group established by Coventry is already evaluating Olympic disciplines, exploring potential additions or removals and the crossover of sports between summer and winter calendars.
The official commencement of the Milano-Cortina Olympics is scheduled for Feb. 6, featuring various segments of the opening ceremony at different locations, notably Milan’s San Siro Stadium.
Focus on Hockey Arena and Sliding Centre
The Milano Santagiulia hockey arena, set to host the first hockey game a day before the opening ceremony, has faced construction delays. Christophe Dubi, IOC’s Olympic Games executive director, highlighted ongoing work needed for the arena’s readiness.
Additionally, the new sliding center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, previously targeted by sabotage, is undergoing final preparations. Dubi expressed confidence in the completion of essential tasks to ensure a seamless experience for fans.
Meanwhile, Coventry anticipates a meeting with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance during the Olympics, in light of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Despite prior talks with the L.A. 2028 organizing committee, formal communication with the White House is pending.
Navigating geopolitical dynamics, Coventry emphasized the IOC’s commitment to inclusivity, aiming to support National Olympic Committees for broad representation at future Games.