2026 Winter Olympics a global event, athletes from over 90 countries will compete in 304 events
Milan Cortina 2026 will not only be about sports. Above all, it will represent development, innovation and forward-looking vision. With an estimated economic impact of €5.3 billion, the Winter Olympics will leave a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructure and regional development. It will also serve as a powerful soft power tool and ensure the permanent strengthening of Italy’s international position.
For the first time in history, the Winter Games will be ‘widespread’: two emblematic cities – Milan and Cortina – and an entire system of regions – Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige – united by a sustainable and inclusive vision. This constitutes the first and clear political signal. The Games create impacts that extend far beyond the sporting dimension, affecting infrastructure, regional development, industrial value chains and Italy’s international position.
The organizational framework of the Olympics envisages the participation of approximately 18,000 volunteers, as well as a special diplomatic task force bringing together young officials, institutions and local communities. This commitment confirms Italy’s capacity to successfully host events on a global scale.
The Italian foreign ministry accompanied the arrival of the Winter Olympic Games with an integrated strategy, initiated two years ago with the establishment of the Office of Sports Diplomacy and developed through an international roadshow involving athletes, media and business in Europe, North America and Asia.
The strategy has two goals: to promote relevant regions and communities and to strengthen Italy’s image as an innovative, sustainable and welcoming country. The games have been featured in numerous initiatives, including Expo Osaka 2025 and international business forums around the world.
For these reasons, Italy has chosen to invest decisively in sports diplomacy, making sports diplomacy a structural component of its foreign policy action. The Olympics embody values such as fair and peaceful competition between young people from around the world and have always stood as universal symbols of peace, respect and inclusion. In an international context marked by conflict, sport remains a reliable arena for dialogue.
Italy reaffirmed this commitment by facilitating the adoption of the UN Olympic Truce Resolution, which calls for sport to contribute to silencing the guns.
Last year alone, more than 2.33 lakh people were killed due to gun violence, resulting in more than 123 million people being displaced globally. Italy continues to play a leading role in the diplomatic and humanitarian sphere, working for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, while also dealing with less visible conflicts such as Sudan, from which millions have been forced to flee.
Milan-Cortina 2026 represents a unique opportunity to reaffirm Italy’s identity and core values. Through these Winter Olympic Games, Italy aims to address the world as the founder of peace, growth and international cooperation. For India, there is the bonus of keeping an eye on Arif Khan and Stanzin Lundup in the men’s slalom and men’s 10 km freestyle respectively and taking their time.
Forza Milano Cortina!
The author is the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy.
