IOC visits Italy to inspect Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics bid

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluation commission arrived in Venice, Italy on Monday for an inspection visit that will decide if the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo joint bid will be selected to host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

In fact, the commission members arrived at the meeting place in the city, known for its innumerable canals and waterways, by boat. Incidentally, the only other candidate vying to host the Games in seven years' time is another joint bid – by Stockholm and Are, Sweden.

The IOC Evaluation Commission had discussions and venue tours in Sweden from March 12 to March 16. In Venice, the IOC team will begin their inspection of 2026 Winter Olympics sites in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan until April 6.

While talking on the city's bid, the Mayor of Cortina, Gianpietro Ghedina said, "We are really excited because we are really a small city that became famous after the 1956 Olympic Games. So after 70 years, to have the opportunity to enjoy this dream again with this great opportunity is something really amazing."

Cortina d'Ampezzo has got some history of staging major events as it hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and will also play host to the 2021 Ski World Championships. The IOC evaluation commission will study the candidacy for five days before deciding on June 24 which city will host the 2026 Olympics.