News / 5.04.2019

The International Olympic Commission came to Livigno on 3rd April

The IOC came to Livigno on 3rd April to for an onsite inspection following Livigno’s candidacy for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games

The IOC Commission came to Livigno on 3rd April in order to assess both the venues and the resort’s ability to host the 2026 freestyle and snowboarding Olympic Games.

CONI organised a press point on occasion of the inspection, which was attended by Michela Moioli who won her gold medal in Pyeongchang and is a member of Team Livigno, as well as both the top institutional figures of Livigno and the bodies involved.

“We gave the IOC delegation an extraordinary welcome, further enhanced by a substantial snowfall. The Commission seemed to be extremely satisfied with what we showed them,” commented CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, “and there is considerable optimism as regards the 2020 agenda. The impression the existing slopes made on the 19 delegates of the IOC and our plans for completing what we can offer was excellent and I’m confident we’ll achieve our goal. Livigno is an incredible centre of multidisciplinary attraction for high-level sport.”

Mayor of Livigno, Damiano Bormolini, commented as follows, “I believe we’re ahead of the Swedish candidacy, but mustn’t let up in our efforts even for a second. We have to keep working hard, as indeed we’ve been doing so far, in order to have the Olympics held here. All those involved, even at a national level, are doing their utmost to make this dream come true.” In answer to the question “Is Livigno ready?" Bormolini replied, “Yes indeed. We’re calm as regards the events we’re going to host. As stated in the report, we’ve made changes to already existing slopes and there will obviously be the need for considerable work in order to make them suitable for hosting the Olympic races. There will be changes, but it will also take more snow. In our proposal, we’ve provided for placing two slopes at the disposal of the snowboarders, not just the one actually used for the races. This is very important as the athletes will be able to train on one slope and compete on the other.”

President of Livigno tourist promotion board, Luca Moretti, on the other hand said, “At 1816m a.s.l., Livigno is a natural area for the Olympic Games and already a destination for many athletes and teams who choose Little Tibet for training at altitude. The strength of Livigno is certainly in the structures that will be built for the event, all temporary, and located at a short distance one from another, as well as the Olympic Village that will be built in Aquagranda. Athletes and guests can go from one venue to another easily and in just 10 minutes on foot. Livigno is used to hosting athletes, who are actually our main target visitors, along with families. In October, we’re able to accommodate the first cross-country skiers of the season thanks to the snowfarming technique, which allows us to preserve natural snow throughout the summer and use it mid-October to open the bottom ring. From October to May, but also in summer, Livigno becomes the ideal destination for those who want to train at high altitude, and in July we’ll complete the offer with the inauguration of the new athletics track and a full-sized football pitch.”

Undersecretary for the Region of Lombardy, Antonio Rossi, whose work involves major sporting events commented: “It was snowing when the delegation arrived so it was able to admire a truly enchanting landscape. We’ve worked so hard these past few months and morale is high, the same as I felt when I used to compete. This is a team effort with the final goal clearly in mind and we are taking care of every single detail in order to reach the finish line in June. "

"Livigno and the Region of Lombardy are very keen on determining the agreement with the Town Council for building the 50-metre pool in Aquagranda, and we’d like it to become a reference centre for top level athletes. Here in Livigno, athletes can train well and also relax, working not only on their physical but also on their mental preparation.”

World Cup snowboard cross champion and member of Team Livigno Michela Moioli was also at the event and said, “Livigno has everything it takes to host the Olympics, lots of snow, beautiful slopes, good food, and everything is concentrated in the same area with connections that make reaching the different locations really easy. This is certainly a huge advantage, as when I was in Pyeongchang it was very difficult for us athletes to reach the various competition areas from the Olympic Village. Here, it only takes 5 minutes, even if you walk. Livigno has everything it takes to win, and it could be my fourth Olympics. I’ll be 30 so still of an age to compete and will most certainly be present.”

Giorgio Rocca ski legend and one of Livigno’s great champions said: “Livigno is evolving towards internationalisation and about to be known all over the world for what it can offer both families and top sportspeople. The athletes who come to train in Livigno never want to leave, as it is a great area for them to be in, suitable for families, which also offers a lot in terms of fun and good food.”

The Councillor responsible for the mountains, Massimo Sertori said: “Livigno is an extraordinary place as indeed the whole of Valtellina and it’s great to witness the wonderful atmosphere that is being created behind the Olympic dream. Mayors and townspeople alike know what it can offer the world. The involvement of the Swiss is also a new aspect and determines the positive climate around the Italian candidacy. The Region of Lombardy has invested heavily in Livigno, regardless of the Olympics, and will continue to do so in the mountain areas that make up 40% of the territory, as well as in Valtellina and Valchiavenna. We improved the connections between Milan and Valtellina a few months ago by inaugurating the Morbegno ring road. Moreover, the Tirano ring road is already fully funded and will be ready long before 2026.” The Councillor went on to say, "Now the regional office and government are concentrating on completing the Sondrio ring road. This last infrastructure will make connections between Valtellina and Milan and indeed Italy faster and safer. From this point of view, the Olympics are an extraordinary accelerator for this work, which will be incredibly useful after the event, too.”

“There's still an enormous amount to do and we want to welcome this extraordinary opportunity. We’ve got everything we need in order to do well and bring the 2026 Winter Olympics home. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Milan, Cortina and all the people of Valtellina, who will be able to bring prestige to all of Italy.” Thanks to the work of Councillor Sertori, the Swiss authorities have ensured the opening of the Forcola Pass during the Olympics, in order to provide another way for spectators to travel from this side of the mountains.”

IOC delegation leader, Octavian Morariu, was very impressed with the resort and expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome Little Tibet gave him. "Many athletes have a strong bond with this area,” said Morariu. "The attention to the issue of eco-sustainability is clear from the building project for the Olympic Village and the infrastructures that’ll be used. In both in Livigno and Cortina there are excellent areas for temporary buildings that can be used in the future, too. The Olympic Village Concept proposes the same anti-waste philosophy, as it provides for the short term supply of mobile units which can be relocated. These units are prefabricated modules assembled on a cement base to create residential buildings that make use of high-tech energy sources by means of systems integrated with solar panels. Based on the existing modules, each building can accommodate double and single rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The National Civil Protection Department is interested in these structures to use as residential modules for relocation throughout Italy after the Games, for example in the event of earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters. It is a national heritage that will benefit society in the future.” He went on to say, “Our trip to Livigno brought value to the diversity of our visit as we left from Venice in the sunshine and arrived in Livigno to find snow.”



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