The Olympic wrestlers now adorn the landscape in Antholz. © Fabio Brucculeri

Antholz and South Tyrol under the spell of the Olympic rings

On Saturday, Antholz marked the start of preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. With the unveiling of the Olympic rings and the first official celebrations, the focus is increasingly on the major international event, at which Antholz will be in the spotlight as host of the biathlon competitions.

September 28, 2024

From: pm

The countdown has begun: 498 days before the official opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 6, Antholz celebrated the first official date of preparation for the event. Athletes, sports legends and future champions, as well as a delegation of Paralympic representatives, representatives from the world of sport and society, gathered today (September 28) in Antholz to celebrate the five rings - the most important symbol of the Games.

The unveiling ceremony took place in the presence of Governor Arno Kompatscher, Mayor Thomas Schuster, the Managing Director of the Milan-Cortina Foundation, Andrea Varnier, Government Commissioner Vito Cusumano and the President of the South Tyrolean CONI, Alex Tabarelli. Several former sports greats such as Isolde Kostner, Gustav Thöni and Armin Zöggeler were also present at the unveiling ceremony.

The mascot created a great atmosphere. © Fabio Brucculeri

The unveiling of the Olympic Spectaculars, installations representing the intertwined rings, and the Agitos, the emblem of the Paralympics, has drawn attention to the major event. The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will put South Tyrol in the international spotlight thanks to the biathlon competitions. The South Tyrol Arena in the Antholz Biathlon Center is already considered the international "temple" of this discipline. The Spectaculars will remain on display in the center of Antholz Mittertal before later being placed in the heart of the Olympic Stadium.

Olympic Games 2026: Joy and Responsibility

Governor Kompatscher is looking forward to the sporting event with great joy and in the awareness of the responsibility associated with the games: "The Olympic rings are the most important sporting symbol, a sign of community and solidarity. As of today, the five rings are also in Antholz-Mittertal. The biathlon competitions of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will take place there."

Antholz can look back with pride on a great sporting tradition, said the managing director of the Milan-Cortina Foundation, Andrea Varnier. This was consciously taken into account: "Antholz and its fifty-year biathlon history are exemplary for our games." The host, Mayor Thomas Schuster, is also looking forward to the sporting highlight in February 2026: "The fact that the Olympic Games are being held in Antholz and South Tyrol is the result of a great collaboration that we have cultivated with great enthusiasm for years. This is a great opportunity for our town that we want to use together."

Numerous onlookers were guests. © Fabio Brucculeri

For South Tyrol's CONI boss, Alex Tabarelli, the Olympic Games in South Tyrol are a dream come true: "After 50 years of World Cup experience and hosting six World Championships, Antholz has truly earned this honour. South Tyrol is home to many great athletes, and the fact that we are now also able to host the Olympic Games is a great privilege."

Some local heroes also took part in the ceremony: they are the main protagonists of the Olympics. One of them is the former luger Armin Zöggeler, the only athlete on the Italian national team to have won medals in the same individual discipline in six consecutive Olympic Games. "I am very happy that South Tyrol has the honour of hosting Olympic competitions for the first time." This is an important moment for all sports enthusiasts, especially young people.

Governor Arno Kompatscher. © Fabio Brucculeri

The 23-year-old biathlete Hannah Auchentaller from Antholz is looking forward to her home game, as she will be competing in the first Olympic Games of her career at home. "There is still a long way to go until the competitions in Antholz in 2026. But the prospect of being able to compete in Olympic competitions in front of a home crowd is the highlight for every athlete," says Auchentaller. The sight of the Olympic rings, which are now in Antholz, is an additional incentive for her to train even harder.

A more modern and sustainable facility

In Antholz, the unveiling of the Olympic rings coincided with the car-free day on the road to the Staller Sattel. From the biathlon center, the road was closed to traffic for half a day. At the biathlon center, work is gradually being carried out to make the stadium even more functional and sustainable for the Olympic Games.