After stops in Munich and Paris, the Milano Cortina 2026 International Roadshow made its way to New York. The American event provided an opportunity to further strengthen the bond between the United States and Italy ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The event, held on March 31 at the prestigious Consulate General of Italy in Manhattan, was organized by the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Sport and Youth, the Lombardy Region, the Veneto Region, and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano.

This initiative is part of a broader project to promote the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games through the global network of Italian embassies and consulates.

Key institutional representatives from both countries gathered to share updates on preparations for the Games, hosted by Italy’s Consul General in New York, Fabrizio di Michele. The Italian delegation included Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Marco Alparone, Vice President and Assessor for Budget and Finance of the Lombardy Region, and Nicola Polito, General Manager of Trentino Marketing.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement was represented by USOPC President Gene Sykes, Olympic figure skating champion from the 2002 Salt Lake City Games Sarah Hughes, and multiple-time Paralympic champion in Para Ice Hockey Declan Farmer. Together with Andrea Varnier, they discussed preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event was moderated by Mario Platero, one of the most prestigious Italian-American journalists.

During the event, speakers emphasized the power of sport in fostering international unity and inspiring new generations. The discussion focused on key pillars of Milano Cortina 2026: the legacy for the Italian regions and the opportunities these Games represent for sport, inclusivity, and sustainability. Given that the United States is also preparing to host a future edition of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Milano Cortina 2026 shared some of the lessons learned from its own preparations.