It was time. Less than four years before the event, the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2026 Winter Games set up shop in Milan at the start of the week (photo above). A three-day visit without an ounce of virtuality, the first since Italy was awarded the Olympic (February 6 to 22, 2026) and Paralympic (March 6 to 15) appointments.
According to the official speech, everything is in order. Or almost. At the end of the visit, the IOC issued a long press release whose tone and words did not deviate from the norm in such circumstances. He explains that the coordination commission, chaired by former Finnish walker Sari Essayah, “ defines priorities for Milan-Cortina 2026 in its transition period"
The formula is known. But reading the priorities in question says a lot about the extent of the work that remains to be accomplished over the next three years and a few weeks. The IOC explains it in full, the Italians will have to concentrate over the coming months on “ the development of the national partners program, the optimization of the budget, the advancement of preparations on the sites and the strengthening of the team in charge of the Olympic project"
Clearly, their “ priorities » concern not only some aspects of the project, but almost its entirety. Marketing, budget, competition venues and human resources. Strong.
A few weeks earlier, another file would have been placed at the top of the list by the IOC: the recruitment of a general director. But it is now settled. After an endless search for the rare bird, long hampered by uncertainty and political struggles, Milan-Cortina 2026 entrusted the keys to its organizing committee to Andrea Varnier.
According to everyone, it would be the best possible pick at this stage of preparation. “ The commission welcomes the experience (by Andrea Varnier) within the Olympic and Paralympic movements, as well as the vision and energy he expressed during our meetings, suggested Sari Essayah. Such qualities will give the team the necessary boost to advance preparations for the Games."
Same story with Giovanni Malagò, president of Milan-Cortina 2026 and the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). “ Andrea Varnier is the light at the end of the tunnel, he assured at a press conference. His collaboration as an advisor to the IOC and his experience of more than 30 years in the sector are the key to accelerating our roadmap. His appointment represented a fundamental step"
Andrea Varnier, 59, appointed last month to succeed Vincenzo Novari as general director, was director of image and events for the Turin 2006 Winter Games. He then worked for several years as an IOC consultant, including on ceremonies and events.
However, Milan-Cortina remains well behind its passage times. Giovanni Malagò agrees: the last three years have often looked like an obstacle course, between the health crisis, political instability and galloping inflation.
« Since we won the Games, I have met four governments, four different institutions and structures, four people to deal with... Not forgetting COVID, inflation and the international crisis, confided the Italian leader at a press conference. It was like running a marathon with a backpack. Now I am happy because the appointment of Andrea Varnier finally shows that the government is on board... We all know very well what the difficulties and problems are, but I think most of them will be resolved soon. »
The end of the tunnel ? Possible. But the backpack mentioned by Giovanni Malagò remains heavy to carry. Three years and less than two months before the Olympic Games, Milan-Cortina 2026 has only three national partners – Deloitte, Esselunga and Randstad – and a single Paralympic supporter, Ottobock.
On the question of venues, a question mark flashes red: the San Siro stadium in Milan. The 80.000-seat venue is supposed to host the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, but its two resident clubs, AC Milan and Inter, are both toying with plans to build their own stadiums.
Giovanni Malagò agrees: the file does not belong to him. “ We have been repeating it from the beginning, this is not something that concerns us, even if we are obviously very attentive spectators, he explained. But all options would suit us: the current San Siro with some things to correct, or a new San Siro, although we don't know if it would be ready in time. It's not up to us to say, we trust the management of the city"
