IOC awards the Italian people the Olympic Cup: recognized the spirit of the Milan Cortina 2026 Games

On May 12, the International Olympic Committee awarded the Italian people the Olympic Cup for the passion, expertise, generosity and hospitality shown during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Established in 1906 by Pierre de Coubertin under the name La Coupe olympique, the Olympic Cup is a historic IOC award given to institutions, associations or collective entities that have contributed significantly to the development of the Olympic Movement.
The award to Italy thus takes on a special symbolic value: it rewards not only the organization of the Games, but the participation, reception and spirit with which the country experienced them.

A recognition of the country that hosted the Games

The handover took place in Rome, at the Quirinal Palace, where IOC President KirstyCoventry presented the Cup to President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, on behalf of all Italians. On the same occasion, President Mattarella also received theOlympic Order, together with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and a number of Italian authorities who contributed to the realization of the Games.

“These Games were not just organized in Italy-they were embraced by the Italian people,” said Kirsty Coventry, recalling the atmosphere experienced at Olympic venues, the public participation and the support for athletes from each nation.

The contribution of host territories

For Cortina d’Ampezzo, protagonist together with Milan and the other host territories of a historic and widespread edition of the Winter Games, the recognition takes on a special significance. Milan Cortina 2026 showed the world a new model of Olympic event, capable of uniting cities, mountains, communities and institutions in a shared project.
As stressed by the IOC President, “Each venue, from the ice of Milan to the snow of Cortina, has contributed to compose an extraordinary result.”

The Olympic Cup to the Italian people is therefore also an acknowledgement of the participation of the territories, the welcoming capacity of local communities, the work of institutions, volunteers, operators and all those who made the success of the Games possible.

For Cortina, which has experienced Milan Cortina 2026 as a milestone in its international journey, this award confirms the value of a collective effort that has been able to combine sport, Alpine identity, hospitality and Olympic spirit. A legacy that will continue to be part of the history and future of the Ampezzo community.