FILE: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy - Feb 4, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of Olympic rings, Dolomite Mountains

Italy - Jan 26, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
2. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Luciano Buonfiglio, president, Italian National Olympic Committee (partially overlaid with shots 3-4):
"Italy is one of the most experienced countries in hosting major international sporting events. We will host the Olympic Games for the fourth time, following the Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956 Winter Olympics, Rome 1960 Summer Olympics, and Turin 2006 Winter Olympics. In 2026, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Turin Games, Italy will once again host the Winter Olympics, and this edition will feature many firsts. Why do I say it's a great event? Because it is an Olympics of many firsts. For the first time, the Games will be staged across multiple regions, so there will be main and second opening ceremony venues; a dual cauldron design will be used, and four flag-bearers will enter the venue holding the Italian flags at the two sub-venues in Milan and Cortina respectively. We are very proud of this. As preparations are currently completed, the opening ceremony in Milan will take place as scheduled. All of the competition venues have been completed and tested, and we are ready to welcome the world."

++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
Milan, Italy - Jan 13, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. Facade of Milano Ice Skating Arena
4. Aerial shot of San Siro Stadium
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FILE: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy - Feb 4, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Various of sign, building, Dolomite Mountains

Italy is set to unveil several groundbreaking innovations at the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, as the host country prepares to welcome the world's top winter sports athletes and visitors from around the world, said Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) during an interview with China Media Group in Italy on Monday.

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games will run from February 6 to 22, with approximately 2,900 athletes expected to participate. This will be Italy's first Winter Olympics in 20 years, following the Turin 2006 Games, and it will take place 70 years after Cortina d'Ampezzo hosted the 1956 edition. The Milan-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games will be held from March 6 to 15, 2026, featuring six sports and 79 medal events.

"Italy is one of the most experienced countries in hosting major international sporting events. We will host the Olympic Games for the fourth time, following the Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956 Winter Olympics, Rome 1960 Summer Olympics, and Turin 2006 Winter Olympics. In 2026, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Turin Games, Italy will once again host the Winter Olympics, and this edition will feature many firsts," Buonfiglio said.

He highlighted the exciting features of the upcoming Olympics.

"Why do I say it's a great event? Because it is an Olympics of many firsts. For the first time, the Games will be staged across multiple regions, so there will be main and second opening ceremony venues; a dual cauldron design will be used, and four flag-bearers will enter the venue holding the Italian flags at the two sub-venues in Milan and Cortina respectively. We are very proud of this. As preparations are currently completed, the opening ceremony in Milan will take place as scheduled. All of the competition venues have been completed and tested, and we are ready to welcome the world," Buonfiglio said.