The Winter Olympic Games were officially open, which will last until February 22 and will be held at ten arenas in three regions of northern Italy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina also has its own representatives at this year’s Games, and the flag bearers at the opening ceremony were Elvedina Muzaferija and Marko Šljivić.
The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended a formal reception with the President of the Republic of Italy Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games represent “an Olympics for peace, now” and a powerful tool of sports diplomacy to strengthen Italy’s international standing. This is what the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani write in an article published by “Il Messaggero” and “Il Mattino,” Tajani emphasizes that the event will bring 3.500 athletes from over 90 countries to Italy, competing in 304 competitions, with an estimated global audience of three billion people and the presence of fifty heads of state and government at the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony was attended by around 50 heads of state and government from across the world.
Beyond sport, Milano–Cortina 2026 is positioned as a platform for development, innovation and a forward-looking vision. With an estimated economic impact of 5.3 billion euros, the Games are expected to leave a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructure and territorial development, while also strengthening Italy’s international standing through soft power.
For the first time in Olympic history, the Winter Games are being held in a “distributed” format. Two symbolic host cities—Milan and Cortina—along with the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, are jointly hosting the event. This model reflects a sustainable and inclusive vision and represents a significant political and organizational signal.
The impact of the Winter Olympic Games extends well beyond competition venues, influencing infrastructure investment, local economies, production chains and Italy’s long-term international positioning. The organizational framework includes the engagement of around 18,000 volunteers, as well as a dedicated diplomatic Working Group involving young officials, institutions and local communities. This approach underlines Italy’s capacity to successfully organize events of global importance, following the experience gained during the recently concluded Jubilee.
Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported the Games through an integrated strategy launched two years ago with the establishment of the Sports Diplomacy Office. This strategy was developed through international roadshows in Europe, North America and Asia, involving athletes, media and businesses. The Games were also promoted through initiatives at Expo Osaka 2025, international business forums and Italian Sports Day events worldwide.
The dual objective has been to highlight the territories and communities involved while reinforcing Italy’s image as an innovative, sustainable and welcoming country. As a result, sports diplomacy has become a structural component of Italy’s foreign policy.
At the same time, the Olympic Games continue to embody values of fair competition, respect and peaceful coexistence among young people from around the world. In an international environment marked by ongoing conflicts, sport remains a credible space for dialogue. Italy reaffirmed this role by supporting the adoption of the United Nations Resolution on the Olympic Truce, backed by the Holy Father and the President of the Republic, calling for the suspension of hostilities during the Games.
According to recent figures, more than 233,000 people were killed in armed violence in the past year, while over 123 million people were displaced worldwide. Italy continues to play an active diplomatic and humanitarian role, advocating for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, while also addressing less visible crises such as Sudan, where millions have been forced to flee. Humanitarian initiatives including Food for Gaza and Italy for Sudan aim to protect civilian populations, particularly children.
In this context, Milano–Cortina 2026 is being presented as an opportunity to reaffirm Italy’s commitment to peace, growth and international cooperation. The Games are intended not only as a sporting celebration, but as a message to the world—positioning Italy as a builder of dialogue and shared responsibility through what it has called its “Peace Games.”
