Italy’s Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo to host 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
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Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will host the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Monday.

Italy’s joint bid won the vote ahead of the Swedish one of Stockholm and Åre by 47 votes to 34.

A total of 83 IOC Members were eligible to vote, with one abstention alongside President Bach, who traditionally does not vote unless he is needed to break a tie. IOC Members in Italy and Sweden were not allowed to vote.

Cortina previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, while another Italian city, Turin, staged the 2006 edition of the Games.

There were only two candidatures in the final vote after four other bidders – the Swiss city of Sion, Japan's Sapporo, Graz in Austria and the Canadian city Calgary, which hosted in 1988 – drooped out of the race earlier dropped with concerns over the event's size and cost.

Sweden has never hosted the Winter Olympic games before, but will have to wait longer after the loss to the Italian bid.

IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his congratulations to Italy, saying: "We can look forward to outstanding and sustainable Olympic Winter Games in a traditional winter sports country.

"The passion and knowledge of Italian fans, together with experienced venue operators, will create the perfect atmosphere for the best athletes in the world.

"Milan–Cortina 2026 will feature iconic venues and beautiful settings, combining the attractions of a modern European metropolis with a classic Alpine environment."

Prior to the voting, the Italian delegation said the country was ready for the games, and assured IOC that it will facilitate all logistics to ensure an enjoyable event.

"We have submitted to the IOC all required guarantees. Financial, security, anti-doping, services, visas, and above all, venues and every kind of facility, starting with the Olympic and Paralympic Villages," Italian National Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malagò said.