Italy Ready Says Bach One Year Ahead of Milan-Cortina Games

Milan: The president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, announced on Thursday that Italy is poised to write the next chapter of its Olympic history. This declaration was made during an event held at Milan’s Piccolo Theatre, marking one year before the 2026 Winter Olympics are set to commence.

According to Ansa News Agency, Bach extended an invitation to athletes worldwide, encouraging them to return to Italy for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, during the ‘One year to go’ event. He emphasized that the torch relay would bring the Olympic flame to all Italian provinces, highlighting that the Milan-Cortina Games are progressing well in advance of the torch lighting ceremony.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini expressed gratitude to Bach during the Milan event for his confidence in Italy. Salvini remarked that the Games represent a victory for the “Italy of yes” and will serve as an opportunity for the entire country.

Milan-Cortina secured the 2026 Winter Olympics in a vote by the International Olympic Committee in June 2019, defeating Stockholm-Aare. The Italian bid won with a 47-34 vote at the first IOC ballot. This event will mark the return of the Winter Olympics to Italy, two decades after the 2006 Games in Turin.