IPC Recognises Milano Cortina 2026 Representatives for Successful Games
15 Mar 2026
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) recognised 23 representatives of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee, Government of Italy, regional administrations and city administrations of host cities on Sunday (15 March) for the successful delivery of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
IPC President Andrew Parsons presented the Paralympic Games Appreciation Award at an event held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, which was also attended by the IPC Governing Board and Senior Management Team.
President Andrew Parsons said: “Milano Cortina 2026 promised to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games and they truly delivered providing fields of play for Para athletes to excel at the very highest level. The Games delivered beyond our expectations, leaving a legacy that will benefit generations to come. On behalf of the whole Paralympic Movement, I extend my appreciation to those individuals who played key roles in the delivery of these amazing Games.”
“Thank you to the Organising Committee and respective authorities - 20 years after Torino 2006, you welcomed the Paralympic Movement back to Italy in what were the biggest Paralympic Winter Games. With a record number of athletes and nations competing, the memory of these Games will last forever in the minds of those who had the opportunity to be here.
“Thank you to the Italian government, regional and city leaders. The investments you made in accessibility and infrastructure are already benefitting millions of individuals and will continue to shape the legacy of the Games once the Paralympic Flame goes out this evening.”
Among those who received the appreciation award were:
| 1 | Giovanni Malago | President, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 2 | Andrea Varnier | CEO, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 3 | Andrea Francisi | COO, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 4 | Matteo Coradini | CFO, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 5 | Diana Bianchedi | Chief Strategy Planning & Legacy Officer, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 6 | Andrea Monti | Chief Communications Officer, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 7 | Nevio Devidé | Chief Revenues Officer, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 |
| 8 | Andrea Abodi | Minister of Sport |
| 9 | Giuseppe Fasiol | Special Commissioner |
| 10 | Giuseppe Sala | Mayor of Milano |
| 11 | Gianluca Lorenzi | Mayor of Cortina |
| 12 | Paolo Boninsegna | Mayor of Predazzo |
| 13 | Damiano Tommasi | Mayor of Verona |
| 14 | Fabio Massimo Saldini | Amministratore Delegato SiMiCo |
| 15 | Attilio Fontana | President of Lombardia |
| 16 | Alberto Stefani | President of Veneto |
| 17 | Luca Zaia | Former President of Veneto |
| 18 | Maurizio Fugatti | President of Autonomous Province of Trento |
| 19 | Massimiliano Deflorian | Mayor of Tesero |
| 20 | Matteo Salvini | Vice Prime Minister of Italy |
| 21 | Giancarlo Giorgetti | Minister of Economy and Finance |
| 22 | Matteo Piantedosi | Minister of Interior |
| 23 | Alessandra Locatelli | Minister of Disabilities |
The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games took place from 6 – 15 March. In total 611 athletes from 55 nations contested 79 medal events across six sports (Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling). Coverage of the Games extended to a record-breaking 126 countries.