OLYMPIC GAMES
Cortina shone in blue and gold as President Sergio Mattarella arrived in the town. The Head of State, who arrived yesterday in the Ampezzo resort in coincidence with the triumphs of lugers Marion Oberhofer and Andrea Voetter in the women’s doubles and Simon Kainzwaldner and Emanuel Rieder in the men’s doubles, watched this morning as Federica Brignone claimed victory in the women’s super-G, personally congratulating the Italian champion at the end of the race while the Frecce Tricolori of the National Aerobatic Team flew over the Olympia delle Tofane. In the early afternoon President Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter, Signora Laura, visited the Cortina Olympic Village, where he was welcomed, among others, by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Secretary General and Chef de Mission Carlo Mornati, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation Giovanni Malagò, President of the Veneto Region Alberto Stefani, Mayor of Cortina Gianluca Lorenzi and President of the Province of Belluno Roberto Padrin. After greeting members of the Italia Team present, the Head of State first signed the Olympic Truce Wall before sharing a convivial lunch moment with the athletes, sitting alongside curling champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, fresh from winning bronze in the mixed doubles tournament.
The President of the Republic then travelled to Casa Italia, where he was welcomed by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Secretary General and Chef de Mission Carlo Mornati and Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi. Also present were Deputy Chef de Mission Alessio Palombi, the two curling champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, and the two Italian lugers Leon Felderer and Alex Gufler. Mattarella — who visited the art collection of Galleria Farsetti inside the venue — was thanked by Buonfiglio for his presence and closeness to the athletes: “Casa Italia is the home of Italians and you have given us this gift by spending two days with us. I wish you would stay every day given the three gold medals in two days. We are making Italians proud of these performances. We owe you so much in terms of affection, expertise and presence. Thank you from the heart, please always remain close to us because we need it,” said Buonfiglio, addressing the Head of State, who then spoke alongside Constantini and Mosaner after congratulating them for “the hard-earned bronze that adds to the gold of four years ago”.
“I thank President Buonfiglio; for me it is an opportunity that returns. Casa Italia in Cortina is the twin of that in Milan and equally serves as a gateway to discovering our country. Congratulations to all the athletes who are giving life not only to an Italian presence at the Games, but to a sign of friendship with all the other athletes from every other nation. That is the meaning of the Olympic Games and of Casa Italia, which opens its doors to all those who come to share the beauty of these places but also the values of human fraternity and shared perspectives among all peoples through sport. Thank you for this opportunity and best wishes, but above all appreciation for what has been achieved, as we await the coming days,” declared the President of the Republic, who also reflected on the happy coincidence that saw the Italia Team win three golds in Cortina during his two days of visit: “The medals belong to the athletes; I have been fortunate to be here. The important thing is to continue competing with the same spirit and commitment, striving with fairness and success,” concluded Mattarella, who posed in front of the Olympic Rings before leaving Casa Italia.
