Italian people awarded Olympic Cup after embracing Milano Cortina 2026

The electric atmosphere generated by the people of Italy during the spectacular Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the Olympic Cup. IOC President Kirsty Coventry presented the Olympic Cup on Tuesday during a ceremony at Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who accepted it on behalf of the Italian people. The IOC President also awarded the Olympic Order to President Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and senior Italian authorities.

With the memorable moments from this year’s Games still fresh in everyone’s minds, President Coventry was back in Italy to award the prestigious Olympic Cup to the Italian people. The Olympic Cup acknowledges the passion, competence, generosity and hospitality shown across the host regions during the Games.

“These Games were not only organised in Italy – they were embraced by the Italian people,” Coventry said during the award ceremony in Palazzo del Quirinale.

As well as receiving the Olympic Cup, President Mattarella was also bestowed with the Olympic Order for his support to the Olympic Winter Games. Before granting him the honour, the IOC President recalled the start of the Opening Ceremony, in which President Mattarella played a role in a sequence on a vintage tram on the way to the San Siro Stadium:

“It was a perfect start to the Games. Light, warm and delightfully Italian. And during the Games, you were more than a Head of State. You were a constant, reassuring presence. A source of encouragement, for the athletes and for the entire nation. And, I think it is fair to say, the No 1 fan of Team Italy.

“This meant a great deal to all of us. Because these Games were not only organised in Italy – they were embraced by the Italian people.”

On the previous day, President Coventry was at Palazzo Chigi, also in Rome, to award Olympic Orders to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and senior members of her government, in recognition of their contribution to the success of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The IOC President was accompanied by the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Milano Cortina 2026, Kristin Kloster.

After the ceremony, President Coventry said: “Milano Cortina delivered a new kind of Winter Games. The first widespread Games ever. We did not know exactly how this would work out. But when the moment arrived, every venue, from the ice in Milano to the snow in Cortina – it all came together beautifully. These were not just Games in Italy - these were truly Italy’s Games. Creative. Stylish. Human. And delightfully Italian. The Italian government helped to make this possible.

“Milano Cortina 2026 showed what is possible when a country comes together. Across regions, across communities, from mountain villages to city streets, with shared purpose, strong partnerships, and a deep sense of pride.”

The IOC President continued: “Prime Minister Meloni understood what it would take, mobilised partners and built genuine momentum when it was needed. In every Olympic journey, there are challenging moments. In those moments, it matters to have people you can rely on. Thank you to Prime Minister Meloni for being there when it mattered most.”

Olympic Orders, the highest honour granted by the IOC to individuals for outstanding services to the Olympic cause, were also awarded to ministers and government officials who played a distinct and essential role in the Games:

• Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport

• Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth

• Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of Economy and Finance

• Fabio Massimo Saldini, Government Commissioner, Director General of the Milano Cortina Infrastructure Company (SIMICO)

• Giuseppe Fasiol, Special Commissioner for the Organisation and Execution of the Paralympic Games

In attendance at both ceremonies alongside the IOC President were the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee President, IOC Member Giovanni Malagò and Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Varnier, as well as Italian National Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio and Secretary General Carlo Mornati.