Milan Cortina 2026, Luciano Buonfiglio makes surprise announcement on flag bearers
The anticipation is growing for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, kicking off in four months with the opening ceremony set for Feb. 6 at San Siro. Host of Radio Anch’io Sport on Rai Radio 1, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio made a surprise announcement about the flag bearers.
“It is not easy to identify flag bearers – admitted the CONI number one -. I confirm that I have agreed with IOC President Kirsty Coventry that there will be two flag-bearers in Milan and two in Cortina, always a woman and a man”.
The flag-bearers will be one woman and one man.
It is still early to know the names of the four flag bearers for the next Winter Olympic Games: “It is not easy to identify them. There is still a long time to go, I would like to share it first with the federal presidents, with the junta, and then we will notify the press”.
“I did not fall from the sky– added Buonfiglio on his arrival as head of CONI -. I have been on a lifelong path in the world of sports. I was vice president of CONI, I had the pleasure of having Giovanni Malagò as president. I arrived at an important time, on the eve of the Winter Olympics and in the first year of Olympic preparation for Los Angeles. At the same time we have so many events, and by luck or professionalism we are winning everywhere, even in sports that are not given attention by the media, such as in bocce or softball. The summary is: we are doomed to win. To get people talking about us, you have to win”.
“Olympics spread? It’s a challenge, but it’s hard to imagine that there are other solutions. Concentrating everything in one venue now is very complicated, both economically and logistically. I am in constant contact with both Flavio Roda (president of the Italian Winter Sports Federation) and Andrea Gios (president of the Italian Ice Sports Federation), they have worked very well. We will arrive really very competitive” concluded Buonfiglio.
