Conclusion of the Milan-Cortina Games: Record Profits and Paralympic Dispute

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have concluded, leaving the organizers with a sense of immense success. According to pre-event forecasts, the overall economic impact of the event was projected to exceed 5.3 billion euros, with an estimated attendance of about 2.5 million spectators. The International Olympic Committee honored the organizers with the Silver Olympic Order, appreciating the innovative formula of dispersing the events among Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Trento. This success has prompted Italian officials, led by Giovanni Malagò, to make preliminary declarations about their desire to bid for the organization of the Summer Olympic Games in Rome in 2040. The tradition of awarding the Olympic Order dates back to 1975. It is the highest distinction of the Olympic movement, awarded for exceptional contributions to sport and outstanding organization of the Games, which is meant to highlight the legacy left by the host. Despite triumphant moods, the organizers face another challenge: the planned opening on March 6 of the Paralympics. The atmosphere around this event has become tense following the decision to admit athletes from Russia and Belarus. The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee officially announced a boycott of the opening ceremony at the Verona Amphitheatre, which was confirmed by media reporting the position of Ukrainian sports authorities. Parsons appealed for the "non-politicization of sport," while noting that he would respect any decision of the Ukrainian committee. It was also announced that the Paralympic flame will begin its journey from British Stoke Mandeville towards Italy. Stoke Mandeville is considered the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. It was there in 1948 that Dr. Ludwig Guttmann organized the first competitions for war veterans with spinal injuries, which evolved into today's Paralympic Games. Italian authorities, including Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, assure that the level of engagement in organizing the Paralympic tournament will be identical to that of the Olympics. Intensive work is underway on security and logistics in Trento, where the Paralympic cauldron will be lit in Piazza Duomo. The Italian press emphasizes that the Games have become proof of the state's efficiency, and the venues being gradually handed over, such as the Arena Santagiulia in Milan, are already planning future commercial events. „Se l'Ucraina dice no, lo accettiamo. Non politicizziamo la cerimonia.” (If Ukraine says no, we accept it. Let's not politicize the ceremony.) — Andrew Parsons