Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi awarded the Collar of Gold for Sporting Merit

The Mayor of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Gianluca Lorenzi, was awarded the prestigious Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo, the highest honor in Italian sports, during CONI’s annual ceremony held in Rome on Dec. 16, 2024. The event brought together Italy’s highest institutional and sports officials, including CONI President Giovanni Malagò, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, and CIP President Luca Pancalli.

The award underscores Cortina d’Ampezzo’s central role in the preparation of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, an event that will exalt the city as an international reference point for winter sports.

The value of teamwork
During his speech, Mayor Lorenzi wished to dedicate the honor to the working team that is tackling the great Olympic challenge with commitment and determination, valuing the fundamental role of his majority and aldermen:
“This recognition is not for me alone, but for the entire system that is working behind the scenes. My administration, my majority and my aldermen deserve special thanks. Every project, every step forward is the result of collective work. Our goal is unique: to deliver Cortina, Italy and the world an extraordinary Olympics.
Thanks are also due to the national and regional leaders – to Giovanni Malagò, Luca Zaia and Minister Abodi – for their support and concrete commitment, but without the silent, daily work of all those who make up our community, nothing would be possible. Together we are building a lasting legacy, a system where everyone is fundamental, a strong link in a great chain.“
Lorenzi emphasized how Cortina is focusing on facilities of excellence, particularly the Sliding Centre, which will host Skeleton, Luge and Bobsled competitions. These facilities will represent not only a competitive symbol, but also a lasting legacy for future generations and a development engine for the area.

An award celebrating a virtuous system
The awarding of the Collare d’Oro to Mayor Lorenzi is a tribute to the work of his administration and the Cortina community. Cortina d’Ampezzo is once again confirmed as a virtuous model of commitment, vision and teamwork, ready to successfully face the challenges of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The city is preparing to do its part with pride and determination, consolidating its role as an international excellence in sports and winter tourism.