These medals will be contested in Italy in one month. © ANSA / UFFICIO STAMPA MILANO CORTINA 20

The countdown is on: One month until the Olympics

Twenty years after the last Olympics in Turin, the next Winter Games in Italy are just around the corner, taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The games begin in exactly one month.

06 January 2026

From: cst/apa

Twenty years after Turin, Italy's athletes are expected to benefit from the home advantage once again under the five-star banner. "Torino 2006" yielded five gold medals, the second-best medal haul in Winter Olympic history, but the enthusiasm of the Italian fans was somewhat muted. From February 6th to 22nd, the Olympics return to Italy. With its historic venues and an investment of 3,5 billion euros, Milan/Cortina aims to host the competitions across its six clusters in a fitting manner.

From a sporting perspective, the Olympic Games in Turin satisfied the country. Enrico Fabris won two gold medals. Luge legend Armin Zöggeler triumphed in the ice track, just as he had four years earlier. Cross-country skier Giorgio di Centa concluded the Games with his second gold medal in the 50km cross-country skiing event. Beyond the sporting achievements, however, a true Olympic atmosphere never quite materialized. Construction sites, mud, and spectator restrictions also dampened the mood.

New facilities in Cortina and Predazzo

In the lead-up to Milano Cortina 2026, almost everything seems to be on track. The only remaining concern is the Santa Giulia arena for the ice hockey events in Milan, which is not expected to be finished until three days before the start of the women's tournament. There is also criticism of the two ice rinks because they are one meter shorter than the NHL standard. This is not sitting well with the heads of the North American league, which is enabling its stars to participate in the Olympics for the first time in twelve years.

The ski jumping facility in Predazzo has been modernized. © APA/afp / STEFANO RELLANDINI

The bobsleigh and luge track in Cortina, which had been the subject of heated debate, was ultimately rebuilt at a cost of around €100 million and – unlike the proposed alternative in Innsbruck-Igls – was able to be used without any problems during the World Cup races in November. The Eugenio Monti Sliding Centre is thus expected to avoid a fate like that of the 2006 Olympic track in Cesana, which was abandoned just six years after the Games.

First Olympics in South Tyrol

The newly built ski jumps in Predazzo had to be adapted after proving too dangerous during the dress rehearsal, ending the Olympic dreams of several athletes in September. Technical problems in Livigno (snowboard, freestyle/freeski) caused delays in artificial snow production, but things are running smoothly now.

With the Olympic Games returning to the Alpine region after two decades, the organizers are relying on many traditional venues, such as Bormio, Cortina (both for alpine skiing), Val di Fiemme (for Nordic skiing), and Antholz, in contrast to Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022. Thanks to the €52 million modernization of the facilities in the biathlon mecca, South Tyrol is also involved in the Olympic Games for the first time. 1,6 million tickets have been issued, half of which cost less than €100.

High prize money: Italy wants more than 17 medals

Italy aims to surpass at least the 17 medals won at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, as stated by Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) since June 2025. More than 200 athletes – the largest contingent in history – are expected to achieve this goal. Financial rewards include €180.000 for each gold medal, €90.000 for silver, and €60.000 for bronze.

CONI President Giovanni Malagò and his team are hoping for many medals. © APA/afp / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

In two events, Italian athletes will start as defending champions. In mixed curling, victory will only be possible by beating Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner. They not only triumphed four years ago but are also the reigning world champions. Arianna Fontana even has her sights set on a historic gold medal. The 35-year-old short track speed skater currently holds two golds, four silvers, and five bronzes and could become the country's most successful winter sports athlete with another triumph.

So far this winter, only former alpine stars Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni have won three gold medals. In Milan's ice rinks, speed skaters including current world champions Francesca Lollobrigida, Andrea Giovannini, and Davide Ghiotto, as well as figure skaters Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii (pairs) and Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ice dance), are also among the medal contenders.

These are the Azzurri's rising stars.

In alpine skiing, hopes rest primarily on speed specialist Sofia Goggia, who raced to downhill gold eight years ago in Pyeongchang, as well as Dominik Paris and Alex Vinatzer. Two-time world champion Marta Bassino is out injured. Federica Brignone, the dominant skier of last winter, suffered complicated fractures of her tibia and fibula, as well as a torn cruciate ligament, in April, but intends to compete on the Tofana. Lara Colturi is also a strong medal contender – however, the 19-year-old daughter of 2002 Olympic champion Daniela Ceccarelli has been skiing for Albania, the country of Ceccarelli's ancestors, for the past four years following a dispute with the Italian federation.

Dorothea Wierer could win Olympic gold at home in Antholz. © APA/afp / MICHAL CIZEK

In the biathlon mecca of Antholz, local favorite Dorothea Wierer, who grew up near the stadium, and the two Hochfilzen winners Lisa Vittozzi and Tommaso Giacomel are hoping to cause a sensation. In contrast, podium finishes seem out of reach in the Nordic events in Val di Fiemme.

The snowboard events could be promising from an Italian perspective. Cross world champion Michela Moioli and multiple alpine winner Maurizio Bormolini lead a strong team, which the South Tyrolean snowboarders also hope to join. In freeski, 18-year-old Big Air world champion Flora Tabanelli is aiming for a medal. The luge athletes are considered the strongest contenders in the Cortina ice track.