Olympics: Facts about Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, host of the 2026 Winter Games
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Facts about Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo which won the bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected the winning bid on Monday.
Population: 1.3 million in Milan
Location: Milan - Italy's northern Lombardy region, Cortina - Dolomitic Alps
Altitude: Milan - 120 metres, Cortina - 1,224 metres
Past Olympic experience: Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956
Games concept: Most indoor competitions (except curling and speed skating) in Milan cluster and outdoor events in Cortina cluster (including Val di Fiemme)
Number of Olympic villages: Three (Milan, Cortina and Livigno)
Slogan: "Dreaming Together"
Opening ceremony venue: San Siro in Milan (Capacity: 80,000)
Biggest advantages: Venues readily available except for one speed skating venue and an ice hockey rink which need to be rebuilt or renovated. Rich history of winter sports. 83% of public polled by IOC support the bid.
Biggest drawback: Bigger budget of $1.7 billion. Volatile economic and political situation in Italy with a new coalition at the helm.
(Reporting by: Rohith Nair in Bangalore)
