Milano-Cortina Olympic Committee Sold Out Event
TORONTO – It was a ‘by invitation only’ event. Salvatore Basile, ENIT’s representative in Canada, hosted the event to generate public awareness and promote the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics to be held in Italy; more specifically in Milano – Cortina. He gathered excellent co-sponsors for that purpose.
Yes, the XXV Olympic Winter Games, will be held from February 6 to February 22, 2026. The [fourth official] Paralympic Winter Games will follow from March 6 to March 15, 2026. Both events will be hosted across various locations in Lombardy and Northeast Italy. The main venues are Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The main theme is Milano Cortina 2026 meets the world. Thursday evening was more about Milano Cortina going into the world to invite it to the Olympics. It was a class act on the part of the three main sponsors: the Italian Embassy (and the Toronto Consulate General), the Italian Olympic Committee and ENIT.
Ambassador Alessandro Cattaneo (in the pic below) lavished praise on the Canadian sporting, economic, cultural and economic ties with Italy both as host to our Diaspora and as valued ally in global strategies for cultural and political integration and for its people’s love of sport. These pointed out are invaluable ties that made it almost de riguer for any serious host to reach out to Canada with a special welcome as a premier participant. The gesture was well received by those in attendance as well as by the representatives of the Canada Olympic Committee, of the Paralympic and the athletes.
Andrea Varnier (in the pic below), CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, in his presentation lauded his organization’s wish to present a more complete image of Italy as a destination place that is home to much more than the traditional pictures depict, as valuable as they may be. “We want to display the many distinct aspects of the culture and cuisine of Alpine towns, while also inspiring our local youth to be more involved in sports as a venue to opening doors to future networks and opportunities, he said.
It is a theme echoed by the Canada representatives, particularly by Tyler McGregor (in the pic below), Canadian Paralympic ice hockey player and team captain. He dreamed of performing in the Olympics as a child, until cancer blocked his path. Undaunted, “after surgery, I’m able to participate in the Olympics and fulfill a lifelong dream with others like me”, he gushed with justifiable pride. He is from a small Ontario town of 2200; sport allows him to make an impact to get valuable recognition for youth and to bring credit to the phenomenal people who contribute to making this country great, he said with humility.
Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud (in the pic below), current silver medalist couple in figure skating are equally enthusiastic. Neither of them has ever been to Italy, nor have they ever participated in Olympic games. For them, it is paramount to “be ready, so they do not have to get ready”. This is extra special for Lia – her grandfather immigrated from Italy and this is her first occasion to visit…as a [Canadian] Olympian.
Salvatore Basile, ENIT’s representative in Canada, and his team accomplished an important first step in the promotion of yet another Made in Italy initiative.
Here below is a photogallery from the event (pics: Corriere Canadese)
