IOC President Thomas Bach was in Italy this week for meetings in Rome and Milan, where he joined the ceremony to mark one year to go until the Olympic Winter Games Milano

Italy began the one-year countdown to the Winter Olympics on Thursday with a series of events designed to fuel enthusiasm for the Games that will be co-hosted by Milan and the Alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The one-year countdown to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is on. IOC president Thomas Bach proclaimed on Thursday, “Italy is ready.” Italy has ski resorts in abundance and spectacular mountains but one pressing concern remains rebuilding the century-old sliding center in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, said on Thursday that Italy is ready to write the next chapter of its Olympic history at an event organized at Milan's Piccolo Theatre one year before the 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to kick off.

Italy is counting down to the 2026 Winter Olympics co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with significant investments to ensure readiness. Despite logistical challenges and climate concerns, organizers are confident in showcasing Italy's sportsmanship and sophistication on the global stage.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Thursday officiated the one-year countdown to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, saying “Italy is ready.”