The event, held on May 8 at the Italian Cultural Institute, was organized by Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry for Sport and Youth, the Lombardy Region, the Veneto Region, and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano. Institutional representatives and key figures from both countries came together to share updates on the Games’ preparations. The event was hosted by the Italian Ambassador to Sweden, Michele Pala.
The Italian delegation included Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026;Marco Rago, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Giorgio Maione, Regional Minister for Environment and Climate of the Lombardy Region; Michela Filippi, Representative of Trentino Marketing.The Swedish sports community was represented by Hans von Uthmann, President of the Swedish Olympic Committee; Åsa Llinares Norlin, President of the Swedish Paralympic Committee; and Jessica Lindell Vikarby, Project Manager of the Swedish Paralympic Committee and former alpine skier.
To welcome the Ambassador, Michele Pala who, after the greeting to the guests present, said: “We are extremely grateful for the interest we are receiving in Sweden regarding the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. What is being put in place is an effort involving the entire country of Italy — from the Italian National Olympic Committee to the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, including the Government and all the regions involved. The upcoming Games will be the perfect opportunity to showcase to the world the beauty of our territories and the sporting excellence of our athletes. Our hope is to see our two flags flying together on the podium as often as possible.”
Following the speech of the Advisor Marco Rago who brought a message on behalf of the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers Antonio Tajani aimed at underlining the importance of sports diplomacy as an integral part of the broader strategy of development diplomacy , underlining that:“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has launched a structured line of initiatives focused on sports diplomacy, with the aim of promoting sport as a tool to project Italy’s image abroad,” stated Marco Rago, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani. “In 2026, the eyes of the world will be on Italy, and the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be an extraordinary showcase to display our cultural, technological, and environmental excellence, as well as a means to strengthen cooperation and dialogue with other countries.”
