The vice-president of the Council of Ministers writes to us: “As Italians, too often we abandon ourselves to pessimism and defeatism. Yet we are capable of great feats, especially when we are under pressure”
*Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport
Dear Director, the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics have brought prestige to Italy in the world. While waiting for the Paralympics, no less significant, the Games which ended just a few hours ago guaranteed the awarding of 740 medals, over 1.3 million tickets sold with some particularly popular competition venues: in Bormio 94.5% of the available seats were occupied, in Anterselva 88.7%, in Milan 90%. Over 70 thousand enthusiasts were transported to the mountain areas, with an average waiting time of 10 minutes, while the estimated global audience was around 3 billion people, with record figures in Europe and North America. A real boom, also confirmed by broadcaster data, including Rai and Warner Bros. Discovery, which recorded a +102% of hours viewed compared to Beijing 2022.
Italy was able to seize the extraordinary opportunity of the Games with an infrastructure plan of 98 interventions (47 sports facilities, 51 transport infrastructures) for 3.5 billion euros. 31 essential works were outlined on paper: all completed and operational before the start of the Games. Not bad, in light of the climate of skepticism and pessimism that existed until a few months ago. I am thinking of the so-called bobsleigh track in Cortina and beyond. And yet we did it, involving over 340 companies, with an estimated over 5 thousand workers employed. As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, I am particularly proud to also remember the investments of other entities linked to the Olympics. I am thinking, for example, of the FS group, which has put 650 million euros on the table, of which 120 are co-financed by our Ministry. The estimated related activities are 5.3 billion euros. A result that should make us proud, not only for the medal count of the extraordinary Italian athletes, but also for the attention to the accounts.
For expenses related to the sporting event and organization alone, estimates indicate an outlay of around 2 billion euros, well below the average of previous Winter Games, which was between 8 and 10 billion. Dear Director, it has been an extraordinary ride. Now we are ready to enjoy the Paralympics, which will showcase wonderful athletes and a model of inclusion that is a source of national pride, as the Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli knows very well. As Italians, too often we abandon ourselves to pessimism and defeatism. Yet we are capable of great feats, especially when we are under pressure, which make us rediscover a pride, an ability and a beauty that the whole world has recognized in us. It was a great team effort. Thanks to everyone, starting from those who believed in us and never gave up.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
