Territorial Bonds are Strengthened with glo EDE (Event Delivery Entities)

Agreements have been signed with companies based near the Olympic and Paralympic venues. These businesses are experts in realising large sports events.

The Organising Committee of the Milan Cortina 2026 Games has announced the start of a path of close collaboration aimed at consolidating the link with the EDE, companies operating in the world of sporting events in the territories involved in the next Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2026: the Biathlon World Cup Committee Antholz Anterselva, the Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme Committee, the Bormio Foundation, the Cortina Foundation.

The announcement was made at a press conference in the conference room made available by the Cortina Foundation, in the presence of the CEO of Milano Cortina 2026, Andrea Varnier, and the Presidents of the four EDEs: Lorenz Leitgeb, Pietro De Godenz, Matteo Bonfà and Stefano Longo.

Excellent skills at the service of the Games 

This signing further strengthens the link between Milano Cortina 2026 and the territories of the Games, with the aim of drawing on the know-how of local businesses. On the one hand, these territorial excellences will share their experience with the Organising Committee of the Games, and on the other, thanks to the Games, they will be able to perfect their skills in the field of sporting events. The EDEs will provide a valuable operational contribution in the various competition venues which, combined with the technical and organisational experience of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, will facilitate the achievement of the most ambitious goal: to leave Italy a concrete legacy for the future.

"The signing of the framework agreements represents a further and significant step in the path towards the Milano Cortina 2026 Games," commented Andrea Varnier, the CEO of Milano Cortina 2026. "Our country can count on provinces with excellent organisational skills and with a deep knowledge of the world of major sporting events. The Organising Committee could not ignore such an important pool of experience".

The words of the EDE

"By signing this agreement, we have formalised our collaboration with the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. For us and also for the whole of South Tyrol it is an honour to be able to share our experiences with the Organising Committee of the Games and at the same time it is also a great stimulus to improve further," said the President of the Biathlon World Cup Committee Antholz Anterselva Lorenz Leitgeb. "We have a great tradition, which began in 1978 and in this half century we have organised over 200 World Cup races and six World Championships. Now the Olympic Games are a dream come true. We will grow with our 1000 volunteers and our structure will also improve, which we will use for other major events even after the 2026 Games."

"Growing and acquiring new experiences is in the DNA of our committee," said Pietro De Godenz, President of the Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme Committee. "After the success of three Nordic Ski World Championships, two Roller Ski Championships and over 400 World Cup races, getting to the Olympic and Paralympic event is significant for us, it is a dream come true. For our valley and for Trentino, it is a prestige to host the Paralympics in cross-country skiing and biathlon. For the committee and for our proven 1500 volunteers, it is an important mission to work in the Olympic and Paralympic context, building the future and irreplaceable synergies, with the guarantee that the facilities, as after the 1991, 2003 and 2013 World Championships, will be enjoyed over time: we still have a lot of objectives".

"It is an honour for Bormio and for the whole of Valtellina to be able to sign this agreement that officially establishes the collaboration with the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. A path that has been underway for some time and will continue in an increasingly intense way until the Olympics and Paralympics, with the aim of creating a close-knit and competent team, a true legacy in terms of human capital and know-how that will remain at the service of major events even after the Olympics and Paralympics". Explained the President of the Bormio Foundation Matteo Bonfà.

"Skills, tradition and organisational capacity are just some of the characteristics of the team that we will make available to the Games and that will remain in the area, strengthened, as a legacy for the future. This long period where Cortina is the Italian territory to have hosted the largest number of World Cup events is an important test for us that testifies to the great ability to create a system between all the players involved in the service of international sport. This inspires us to continue this path of continuous improvement of accessibility, promotion and hospitality also in a Paralympic key". Comment from Stefano Longo, President of Fondazione Cortina.