The images show wear and tear over time. Over sixteen years old. But Turin, the capital of Italian Piedmont, host of the Winter Games in 2006, has forever taken its place among the Olympic cities.
Its new mayor, Democrat Stefano Lo Russo (photo above), 47, is participating this week in Lausanne at the Smartcities & Sport Summit 2022 (October 24 to 26), organized at the initiative of the World Union of Olympic Cities . For FrancsJeux, he discusses the legacy for Turin of the 2006 Winter Games, his sporting projects, but also the withdrawal of his city from the victorious Italian candidacy for the Winter Games in 2026.
FrancsJeux : What personal memories do you have from the 2006 Turin Winter Games?
Stephen Lo Russo : I was only 30 years old at the time of the Games, I was too young to hold an official position in the event, directly or indirectly. But I remember intense and incredible activity in Turin, an Olympic spirit that swept through the city. For more than two weeks, Turin was the capital of the world. Like the rest of the population, I felt this incredible state of mind.
Did the Winter Games change the city forever?
Yes. Of course, the Games made it possible to carry out certain works from which Turin still benefits today. But the most important change is not in infrastructure. It affects the state of mind. With the Winter Games, the city demonstrated its capacity to organize a major event on a global scale. More than anything else, the Olympic Games allow a city to prove that it can welcome the world. In terms of promotion, the event is second to none.
Sixteen years later, what is the most important legacy of the Winter Games today?
Sports and leisure facilities are still used by Turin residents. They constitute the most visible heritage. The airport, too. It was modernized for the 2006 Games. It allows the city to be better connected with the rest of the world. But the main legacy remains the feeling that residents felt during the Games. They have not forgotten it. He changed the culture of the city.
Did the international image benefit from the Winter Games?
In the long term, yes. We have observed an increase in tourism, with a greater number of foreign visitors.
Today, do you have the desire to bring new major international sporting events to Turin?
Yes. With my team, we work to obtain events, not only sporting, but also musical. Last May we hosted the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. We would love to do it again. We also hope to receive a stage in a future edition of the Tour de France cycling race. In the short term, Turin will organize the ATP Tour Finals next month. In 2025 we will host the World University Winter Games, a very important event for the city. We will receive the flame at the beginning of next year. And we aim to obtain European championships in basketball and volleyball.
Turin has long made common cause with Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in the bid campaign for the Winter Games in 2026, before withdrawing from the project. Do you regret it?
Of course. I regret it greatly. At the time of Turin's withdrawal from the candidacy, I was not the mayor of the city (the position was occupied by Chiara Appendino, editor’s note). I was elected in October 2021, after the Games were awarded to Milan and Cortina. The decision of the Five Stars movement to abandon the project was a very bad decision. I regret it and I'm not the only one. It’s really a shame for the city not to be involved. For me, joining Milan and Cortina to organize the Winter Games in 2026 could have constituted a magnificent legacy, involving the northern and eastern Alps. We missed this opportunity. It's very disappointing. The decision was really bad.
