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≡ IOC SESSION OPENS ≡
The 145th Session of the International Olympic Commission opened at the famed Teatro La Scala in Milan, with remarks by IOC President Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Italian National Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio and organizing committee President Giovanni Malago.
Malago offered what he sees as the essence of the Games:
“Milano Cortina 2026 is a global event, that promotes sport, its values and its unique ability to bring people together. It is also an extraordinary showcase of Italian excellence and culture, art, landscape, quality of life, the craftsmanship that defines us and our longstanding tradition of hospitality.”
Coventry struck the happy tone of an athlete ready to compete, as she was in five Olympic Games as a swimmer:
“La Scala represents the Italian spirit: a deep love of the arts and life, of human creativity, of blending tradition and innovation. It is the same spirit that will now embrace the world’s best winter sports athletes as they prepare to make their Olympic dream come true.
“It has been a long journey – sometimes a bit bumpy, like every Olympic journey – but it is truly wonderful to be here, among our Italian partners and friends. And they have become family.
“Over the past few days, we have seen the excitement building everywhere. Today we got to spend some time in the Olympic Village. The athletes cannot wait. They are so excited. The first athletes are moving into the Villages across Italy. And they have a special sparkle in their eye. You can feel the anticipation, but you can feel the excitement even more.
“Everyone you meet cannot wait for the Games to begin. There is definitely an Olympic vibe building in the streets of Milano, in Cortina, and in all host regions and more specifically in the hearts of the people across the country.”
And after she met some of the Italian athletes getting ready to compete in a home Games, she added, “Remember to leave a few medals for the other teams – this is a little remark I passed on to them today.”
The ceremony, of course, included musical performances that honored La Scala’s cultural landmark status, performed under the baton of Musical Director Riccardo Chailly and featuring Gioachino Rossini‘s “Sinfonia,” from La gazza ladra and the aria “Resta immobile” from Guglielmo Tell, and Giuseppe Verdi’s “Prelude” from Macbeth and the aria “Pietà, rispetto, onore” from Act IV, performed by star baritone Luca Salsi.
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