The International Olympic Committee said the Milan-Cortina Games exceeded expectations despite a number of obstacles in the preparation for the world's biggest sporting event, BTA reported.
The Games, which opened on February 6 with a dazzling opening ceremony at the “San Siro“ stadium in Milan, have been under extreme pressure for years due to tight deadlines and a series of construction delays, with the scattered sites in northern Italy posing additional challenges for organizers. But when the curtain falls with the closing ceremony in Verona tonight, the hosts and the IOC can breathe a sigh of relief.
“The Winter Games were fantastic. It couldn't have happened without incredible teamwork. . . and we had it every step of the way,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said in her address to members of the Olympic body’s session.
„Over the past two weeks, we have seen and experienced an incredible Games. "I'm speechless," added Coventry, who was attending her first Games as president after being elected last year.
Just a few weeks before the start, the picture was very different, with organisers racing to complete the Santa Giulia ice hockey arena and the newly built chute in Cortina d'Ampezzo - a project that had been hotly debated during the build-up due to the cost and tight construction schedule.
While the Olympic Games traditionally struggle with various problems that can affect the performance of facilities or even the lack of atmosphere, the Games in Italy faced no major crisis, and the winter weather contributed to impressive snowy landscapes. Initial transport problems between Milan and the Dolomite mountain ranges subsided almost immediately, mainly due to the limited number of spectators travelling between the two venues due to the long journey times, which can reach six or seven hours. Most fans chose to stay either in Milan or in the mountains.
The Games' European time zone also meant increased viewership both on the continent and in the key market of North America, compared to the previous two winter editions held in Asia. The Games also received a major boost domestically, with Italy winning 30 medals, including 10 gold, to place them in the top five of the medal table, and boosting viewership and ticket sales.
“Thank you for never stopping believing in us. For supporting us in the most difficult moments, and there were many. Together we were stronger than any challenge and any adversity,“ said Milan-Cortina 2026 organising committee president Giovanni Malago during the session, as quoted by Reuters.