Italy Marks One Year to Milan-Cortina 2026 Games with National Flag Handover

On December 22, 2025, a significant ceremony unfolded at the Quirinal Palace, marking precisely one year until the commencement of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. This pivotal event was held under the esteemed patronage of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, serving as a major milestone in the nation's preparations for hosting its fourth Winter Games.

The ceremony was designed to powerfully symbolize Italian national pride and the unity of the country's sporting community. President Mattarella bestowed the national flag, the Tricolour, upon a delegation comprising four distinguished athletes who acted as flag bearers. This gesture was particularly meaningful given the unique, decentralized structure of the Games. These events will span across Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, covering a vast territory exceeding 22,000 square kilometers across four distinct clusters in Northern Italy.

The chosen flag bearers represented the breadth of Italian winter sports excellence. The delegation included Federica Brignone, a star in alpine skiing; Amos Mosaner, representing curling; Arianna Fontana, a powerhouse in short track speed skating; and Federico Pellegrino, celebrated for his achievements in cross-country skiing.

Several key officials were in attendance to witness this important handover. Among them were Luciano Buongiorgio, who had been elected as the new President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) in June 2025, succeeding Giovanni Malagò. Also present were Marco Giunio De Sanctis, the head of the Italian Paralympic Committee, and Carlo Mornati, the CONI Secretary General and the overall mission leader for Milan-Cortina 2026. Buongiorgio’s election, replacing Malagò after his 12-year tenure at CONI, is viewed as a strategic move emphasizing continuity, especially since Malagò remains the President of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee.

The accomplishments of these flag bearers truly shine a spotlight on the high caliber of Italian sports talent. Arianna Fontana stands out as the most decorated Italian athlete in Winter Games history, boasting eleven podium finishes. Furthermore, Amos Mosaner secured an Olympic gold medal in mixed curling at the Beijing Games in 2022. The selection of athletes spanning both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines powerfully underscores the inclusive spirit driving the nation's sporting movement.

The official opening ceremony for the Games is scheduled for February 6, 2026, in Milan. By substituting the traditional Olympic flag handover with the presentation of the Tricolour at the Quirinale, Italy emphasized its domestic readiness and commitment. This follows the earlier event on December 4, 2025, in Athens, where the Olympic flame was received, initiating its 63-day journey across 20 Italian regions.

The overarching concept for the Games is encapsulated in the theme 'Duality, Together,' which reflects the essential dialogue between urban centers and mountainous regions. This polycentric operational model will be mirrored in the opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro Stadium. Reports suggest a parallel ceremony will take place simultaneously in Cortina d'Ampezzo to accommodate athletes participating in certain disciplines, ensuring the spirit of the Games is truly spread across the host territories.