The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said a first yes to the joint candidacy of Milan and Cortina which are therefore in the race to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Key elements to any successful Olympics include a clear vision aligned with long-term development goals, a solid action plan, ongoing support from all sectors, and the best possible experience for the athletes. Milan-Cortina satisfies all these criteria”, reads the report published today, 24 May, by the IOC evaluation commission, following an initial evaluation and an inspection in Italy between 2 and 6 April last.
“The 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – continues the report – would represent a showcase for Northern Italy and feature iconic locations and beautiful environments which reach the peaks and mountain villages of the Dolomites from the historic center and squares of Milan”. The Milan-Cortina experience "would guarantee an unforgettable experience for the athletes".
The candidacy was proposed last September by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), with the backing and support of the Italian government and local administrations.
Today's promotion, just represents a first step in the race to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. The final choice will come from the Olympic Committee in exactly one month. On June 24, the IOC will meet in Lausanne, Switzerland to verify compliance with the requirements and choose the best proposal among those candidates.
Within the same report, the Committee has instead promoted the Stockholm-Aare candidacy with many reservations: “While letters of intent have been provided, the binding guarantees for the new facilities have yet to be presented: the Olympic village in Stockholm, the speed skating oval and the biathlon and cross-country skiing venues”. Problems, also of an environmental and naturalistic nature, for three 'venues' in Are, Falun and Sigulda. Doubts about Hamra, which should host the biathlon and cross-country skiing competitions: "The development of the Hamra headquarters outside an old quarry could encounter risks related to land contamination and the protection of water quality".
In short, for the moment the Stockholm-Aere proposal does not seem to convince the members of the Olympic committee in the slightest, who have also expressed extensive publicity on the failure to sign the project by the Municipality of Stockholm and on the high ticket price foreseen in the prospectus.
