In less than two months, all eyes will be on Italy. The country is not unfamiliar with hosting the Olympics, having previously held the 1960 Summer Games (Rome), the 1956 Winter Games (Cortina d’Ampezzo) and the 2006 Winter Games (Turin). This time over 3,500 athletes gather in this iconic hotspot, representing 93 countries. Uniquely, the Games will be spread out over 250 miles between Milan and Cortina, and will also span twelve venues across a multitude of regions in Northern Italy.
One interesting aspect of the smooth coordination needed between the two cities will be pulling off the cauldron lighting for the opening ceremony. Editing TV coverage to make it appear as if countries with several flag-bearers participating in parades in different cities are marching in unison is another point of focus. Among the venues, the largest is the Anterselva Biathlon Arena, which seats up to 19,000 spectators. Others stand out for their historical roots, like Verona Olympic Arena, built for gladiator battles in 30AD. Some also hold significance in both Italian culture and the sports world, with several having been used for the Nordic World Ski Championships and World Cup Races, or being the home to Italian football clubs.
In lively spirit and display of local culture, stoat mascots Tina and Milo were chosen, inspired by the city names Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milano. Milo, the Paralympic mascot, was born without a leg and, by learning to use his tail, is now a figure of resolve and ingenuity. Notably, the idea of these stoat siblings was influenced by a nationwide primary school drawing competition. The design submitted by students in Taverna, southern Italy, contributed to the symbol set for the Olympic stage. The intentional choice of stoats primarily stems from their engagement with nature, agility, liveliness, and resilience in their mountainous habitats – all highly reflective of characteristics necessary to endure for the upcoming Winter Games. They are additionally representative of the spirited, adaptable and contemporary Italian identity, organizers describe.
A total of 16 sports disciplines will be featured. They can be grouped into three broad categories: Ice sports (like bobsled, ice hockey, skeleton and curling), Alpine & Snowboarding, and Nordic Events (like cross-country skiing and ski jumping). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) commonly refers to sport disciplines to denote and differentiate ‘sub-sport categories,’ such as figure skating and speed skating, within the broader sport of skating. Four of the sixteen disciplines will be held indoors: curling, figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating. Significantly, the last category features a debut sport: Ski Mountaineering, where athletes use specialized equipment to traverse mountainous terrain at the Stelvio Ski Centre. This was originally a segment of a now-discontinued winter Olympic sport called Military Patrol that combined ski mountaineering with cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Other new changes include a large-hill event for women’s ski jumping and a women’s luge doubles event, in line with the ongoing movement for gender equality. The cross-country skiing distance will also be the same between the men’s and women’s events. The Paralympics will feature six events in the Arena di Verona, including Para snowboard, Para alpine and cross-country skiing, Para biathlon, Para ice hockey and wheelchair curling.
Closing in on the Feb. 6-22 Olympics and the March 6-15, 2026 Paralympics (also marking the kickoff of the 50th anniversary of the first Paralympic Winter Games), athletes hone their focus in the final stretch of their training. From the IOC’s announcement of Italy’s selection to host the XXV Winter Games in 2019 to the start of the iconic torch relay on December 6, Italy moves forward in its preparation for nations to unify through sport. The race for 195 medals will deliver nothing short of a breathtaking showcase and experience in the heart of winter… truly making for a winter wonderland!
