The wait is about to end. At the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, packed with representatives of sport, culture and institutions, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella opened the 145th Session of the International Olympic Committee, a few days before the start of the Winter Olympic Games Milan Cortina 2026.
«Sport is a meeting in peace: it bears witness to brotherhood in the loyalty of competition with others», stated Mattarella, recalling how sporting activity opposes every form of violence and trampling of human dignity, «We ask, with stubborn determination, that the Olympic truce be respected everywhere. May the disarmed force of sport silence the weapons».
Addressing the public and athletes, the President underlined the role of sport in promoting global peace: «The Games are an engaging tool to invoke peace and mutual understanding. From Milan and Cortina, from Bormio, from Livigno, from Antholz, from Val di Fiemme, from Verona, sport will present itself as a vehicle for this hope.”
After the institutional speech, the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly, she performed a program dedicated to Rossini and Verdi, accompanied by the baritone Luca Salsi.
Even the president of CONI, Luciano Buonfigliorecalled the universal value of the Games: «We are a Family, the Olympic Family. Peace and harmony are essential elements of our business. The Olympic Games are not just a global sporting event but a powerful force to influence the balance of the world by overcoming the boundaries of divisions and restoring respect for the weak.”
The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella at the Teatro alla Scala for the opening of the 145th session of the International Olympic Committee
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Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, added: «In a few hours we will light the Olympic braziers and embrace the world, fully aware that the Italian Games coincide with one of the most difficult moments in recent global history. This makes them even more significant and important.”
Also Kirsty Coventry, president of the IOC, underlined the importance of Italian culture and creativity as the setting for the Games: «La Scala represents the Italian spirit, a profound love for art and life, for human creativity and for the fusion of tradition and innovation. In this spirit, Italy will welcome the best winter sports athletes in the world as they prepare to realize their Olympic dream.”
The flag bearers of the Games: symbols of peace and resilience
The flag bearers who will accompany the Olympic Flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Games were announced today, ten internationally renowned personalities who embody the principles of peace, unity and solidarity. The Olympic Flag, with the five intertwined circles on a white background, represents the union of the continents and the meeting between athletes from all over the world. For Milano Cortina 2026, it will parade in two symbolic places: at the San Siro stadium in Milan, accompanied by eight standard-bearers, and in Cortina, with two standard-bearers.
Italians on the Olympic stage
Among the Italian standard-bearers (which are 5 in total) they stand out Nicolò Govoni and Filippo Grandi.
Govoni is a writer and human rights activist, nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to the protection of refugee minors, CEO and President of Still I Rise, an organization that guarantees free, excellent education to vulnerable children around the world.
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2016 to 2025, he led the protection of millions of people forced to flee conflict and persecution and is Vice President of the Olympic Refuge Foundation.
Who are the other international standard-bearers
The other standard bearers represent a variety of stories of commitment and resilience: Tadatoshi Akiba from Japan, former mayor of Hiroshima and active promoter of nuclear disarmament; Rebecca Andrade from Brazil, multi-medal athlete and symbol of perseverance after serious injuries; Maryam Bukar Hassan from Nigeria, artist and poet committed to gender equality and inclusive peace; Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya, legendary marathon runner and UNESCO Ambassador for the values of sport; Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee Olympic Team, first refugee athlete to win an Olympic medal in boxing; And Pita Taufatofua from Tonga, the first athlete from his country to participate in both the Summer and Winter Games and involved in humanitarian and climate initiatives.
In Cortina, two icons of Italian sport
In Cortina, two historic figures of Italian sport will carry the flag: Franco Nones, first Italian Olympic champion in the history of cross-country skiing, gold in the 30 km at the 1968 Grenoble Games, and Martina Valcepina, short track champion with three Olympic medals between 2014 and 2018 and numerous European titles.
The choice of standard-bearers thus represents a bridge between sport, civil commitment and universal human values, embodying the Olympic spirit that the Milan Cortina 2026 Games intend to convey to the world.
