Several Italian individuals have been honoured with the Olympic Cup after wholeheartedly embracing the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The International Olympic Committee recognised the remarkable energy and passion shown across the country during the Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry presented the award at a ceremony held at the Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome, handing it to Sergio Mattarella on behalf of the Italian people.
During the same event, the Olympic Order was also bestowed upon President Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and other senior Italian officials in recognition of their contributions.
With the unforgettable moments of this year’s Games still vivid, IOC President Kirsty Coventry returned to Italy to present the prestigious Olympic Cup to the Italian people. The award recognises the passion, professionalism, generosity and hospitality shown throughout the host regions during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
“These Games were not only organised in Italy – they were embraced by the Italian people,” Coventry said during the ceremony at the Palazzo del Quirinale. “The arenas were full, the cheers loud, the atmosphere electric. You celebrated your champions and supported athletes from every nation, showing the world that passion and respect can go hand in hand.”
Olympic Order presented to President Mattarella
Alongside the Olympic Cup, Sergio Mattarella was awarded the Olympic Order in recognition of his support for the Games. Coventry recalled his memorable role in the Opening Ceremony, appearing in a sequence aboard a vintage tram en route to San Siro Stadium.
“It was a perfect start to the Games — light, warm and unmistakably Italian,” she said. “Throughout the event, you were more than a Head of State. You were a constant, reassuring presence — a source of encouragement for athletes and for the entire nation. And, it is fair to say, the number one supporter 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.”
Italian government recognised
A day earlier, at Palazzo Chigi in Rome, Coventry presented Olympic Orders to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and senior government officials, acknowledging their contribution to the success of the Games. She was joined by Kristin Kloster, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Milano Cortina 2026.
“Milano Cortina delivered a new kind of Winter Games — the first truly widespread edition,” Coventry said. “While there were uncertainties at the outset, when the moment arrived, every venue — from the ice in Milano to the snow in Cortina — came together beautifully. These were not just Games in Italy, they were truly Italy’s Games: creative, stylish, human, and unmistakably Italian. The Italian government played a key role in making this possible.
“Milano Cortina 2026 showed what can be achieved when a country unites — across regions and communities, from mountain villages to city streets — with shared purpose, strong partnerships and a deep sense of pride.”
Praising Meloni’s leadership, Coventry added: “Prime Minister Meloni understood what it would take, mobilised partners and built real momentum when it was needed. In every Olympic journey there are challenges, and in those moments it matters to have people you can rely on. Thank you for being there when it mattered most.”
Olympic Orders for key officials
The Olympic Order — the highest honour awarded by the International Olympic Committee — was also presented to several ministers and officials who played vital roles in delivering the Games:
- Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport
- Andrea Abodi
- Giancarlo Giorgetti
- Fabio Massimo Saldini
- Giuseppe Fasiol
Also in attendance at both ceremonies were Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee President and IOC Member Giovanni Malagò, CEO Andrea Varnier, as well as Luciano Buonfiglio and Secretary General Carlo Mornati.
