THE CHOICE OF CONI
Four champions, four stories, a historic quartet. Federica Brignone, Arianna Fontana, Amos Mosaner and Federico Pellegrino will represent the Italian team at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on 6 February. The Winter Olympics return to Italy after 20 years and are already making Olympic history: for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, a country will field four athletes as flag bearers in the Opening Ceremony: an absolute first that makes CONI's choice unique in the Olympic landscape.
The announcement was made by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, together with Secretary General Carlo Mornati and Vice President Marco Di Paola, during the official presentation entitled “Dieci Mai Per Una Scelta”, which was held at the Foro Italico. Through this presentation, CONI outlined the process, criteria and profound meaning of this unprecedented decision. Ten unprecedented sporting, symbolic and value-based conditions guided the selection of the flag bearers, making this a unique event in Olympic history.
Never before has Italy fielded a pair of athletes in the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics, nor had any country entrusted its flag to four athletes. Never before had an athlete from the Fiamme Oro (Golden Flames) marched with the Italian flag at the Winter Olympics, nor had an athlete born in Valle d'Aosta or Trentino. Furthermore, no athlete born in the city hosting the Summer or Winter Olympics had ever been a flag bearer. Additionally, no member of the CONI National Council had ever paraded with the country's symbol, nor had a curling athlete. Nor had a child in the same sport discipline as their mother or father, just as no Italian female athlete had ever been chosen twice as flag bearer until now.
These four unique stories will intertwine in a unique context: for the first time, the Opening Ceremony will be held in two different venues, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Specifically, Fontana and Pellegrino will parade at the San Siro Stadium, while Brignone and Mosaner in Cortina, in the 'Pearl of the Dolomites'.
“It is now 12 o'clock, and almost 12 minutes past. This time was not chosen at random, as today is an important day. I chose this time to announce the flag bearers for Milano-Cortina 2026" Buonfiglio explained. “There is a sense of complicity with numbers, luck and superstition. The number 12 is considered to represent completeness, harmony and cyclicality. There are 12 months, hours and signs of the zodiac, and the keyword is harmony. We are trying to pursue this with determination and desire in all circumstances, and we want there to be a harmonious world”.
He added: "Harmony was also the key to the development of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. We started in Olympia, then we were in Athens, Rome and the Quirinale and the Stadio dei Marmi, always with harmony. Inspired by harmony, I made this decision in agreement with Secretary General Carlo Mornati, whom I thank and congratulate for his professionalism and dedication, as well as with Vice Presidents Marco Di Paola and Diana Bianchedi. This is a new Council that is very dynamic and present: I have informed all council members about the flag bearers. This is the first time I have had the honour of choosing them. You come under pressure from all sides, but you have to think objectively, philosophically and critically. We took various requirements into account: we needed a balance of representation, gender and federations; we considered CVs and history. It was a difficult puzzle, and many athletes deserved this role. We drew inspiration from history and tradition in our search for a novel solution. In Cortina, the flag bearers will be Amos Mosaner and Federica Brignone. In Milan, they will be Federico Pellegrino and Arianna Fontana. We also proposed that Sofia Goggia carry the flag for the flag-raising ceremony in Cortina”.
The athlete, following in the footsteps of a parent (her mother is Ninna Quario), born in the host city of the Games, is Federica Brignone. The 'Tiger of La Salle', a multiple Olympic medallist in alpine skiing at the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games, and the first Italian ever to win the overall season's Crystal Globe trophy, has already achieved the feat of returning to skiing following her tibial plateau and fibula head injury last April. The Azzurra will parade in Cortina together with Amos Mosaner, Olympic curling champion in Beijing 2022 and world champion in mixed doubles, and today the first person from Trentino to become an Azzurri standard bearer.
In Milan, however, it will be the turn of Arianna Fontana, the multiple Olympic short track champion and Italian athlete with the most Olympic medals in history (11 podiums). She will add to her record of being the youngest Italian Olympic medallist (she won bronze in Turin 2006 at 15 years and 10 months) by becoming the first Italian to parade twice with the Tricolour. Until today, in fact, only Ugo Frigerio (athletics), Edoardo Mangiarotti (fencing), Gustav Thoeni (alpine skiing) and Paul Hildgartner (luge) had had this privilege.
Milan's other flag bearer is another winter sports icon, like Federico Pellegrino. He is the leading man of Italian cross-country skiing, a two-time silver medallist in PyeongChang and Beijing, winner of two Crystal Globes, and the first Fiamme Oro athlete and National Council member to be chosen as flag bearer.
“I am delighted and very moved to hear this news” commented Pellegrino. “Throughout my career, I have always tried to set an example, and I have always felt a responsibility towards younger athletes to represent my country on the world stage.’ All of this makes me proud. I am proud to be the first athlete from Valle d'Aosta to hold this role, and I am also proud to represent the Fiamme Oro Sports Group. Moreover, I cannot think of a better way to end my cross-country skiing career than at Milano Cortina 2026”. Brignone was also overcome with emotion. “It's a dream come true. Since the day of my injury, my motivation has been to fight and get back on my feet. I would like to thank everyone who has always been there for me, especially in recent months. When I was a child, I had three dreams: to participate in the Olympic Games, to be the flag bearer, and to win an Olympic medal". Fontana confessed: "Having the chance to represent my country again and carry the Italian flag is a great privilege. I didn't expect it, but I am very honoured. Nothing makes me prouder than leading the team I have loved for 20 years. Being flag bearer alongside Chicco Pellegrino will be a truly special experience for us both".
These four athletes embody the sporting and human excellence of the Italian team. They represent different stories, disciplines and journeys, and are capable of inspiring the whole country and new generations.
In Milan and Cortina, Team Italia will parade under the Tricolour, creating an image that is set to go down in Olympic history. Starting with the opening ceremony.
