Can Italy do for the Winter Olympics what Paris did for the Summer Games? - The Athletic

The buzz around the Paris 2024 Summer Games was palpable months before the torch arrived. Paris wasn't just preparing for an Olympics; it was preparing for a global cultural moment, promising unprecedented accessibility and urban integration. It set a new, towering standard for modern Olympic hosts.

Now, attention is rapidly shifting to Milan-Cortina 2026. The core question, as raised by *The Athletic*, isn't about medal counts, but about legacy and experience: Can Italy replicate the transformative, universally successful atmosphere of Paris in the highly specialized and geographically scattered environment of the Winter Games?

The challenge for Italy is immense. Winter sports operate under entirely different constraints—logistics, altitude, temporary venues—compared to the concentrated, metropolitan backdrop of Paris. Yet, if any nation can merge high-stakes sports with unforgettable style, it is Italy. They must prove that the 'Paris Effect'—that blend of cultural celebration and flawless execution—is transferable to the Alps.

The IOC and global spectators are watching closely. Italy's ability to deliver a seamless, sustainable, and spectacular Winter Games will redefine expectations for future snowy hosts.

The Benchmark: Understanding the 'Paris Effect' on Global Sporting Events

What exactly did Paris 2024 achieve that makes it the new operational standard? It wasn't just about finishing construction on time. It was about weaving the sporting event into the very fabric of the city, achieving maximum public engagement.

Paris embraced its history and landscape, moving events to iconic urban centers. Picture beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower or the opening ceremony floating down the Seine. This strategy converted massive infrastructure costs into public spectacle, drastically reducing the feeling of an isolated, corporate 'Olympic bubble.'

The 'Paris Effect' fundamentally hinged on four factors:

• Urban Integration: Using existing landmarks as venues (Place de la Concorde, Grand Palais), minimizing new construction and maximizing photographic appeal.
• Early Readiness: Hitting construction milestones ahead of schedule, allowing ample time for stress testing and fine-tuning logistics.
• Ticketing & Accessibility: Implementing digital-first ticketing and transportation systems that simplified the spectator journey.
• Vibe Management: A focused effort to present the Games as a giant, city-wide street party, drawing in locals and tourists alike.

This level of integration is incredibly difficult to achieve in a Winter Games context. While Milan will host ice hockey and figure skating, the signature events—skiing, bobsled, biathlon—are spread across the Dolomites, from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Bormio and Livigno. Italy must therefore master not just one central location, but a complex web of mountain villages and intercity transit. The success metric is no longer concentrated density, but efficient connectivity and regional enthusiasm.

The fundamental shift is from urban planning to complex geographical logistics. Italy needs to replicate Paris's accessibility while battling high altitude and long transport routes between venues.

Italy's Unique Alpine Challenge: Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Political Hurdles

Milan-Cortina 2026 promises to be the most geographically dispersed Winter Games in history. This distribution poses the greatest threat to achieving the Paris standard of seamless spectator experience.

While Milan's infrastructure is robust, the Alpine venues present significant challenges. The legacy of these Games is tied directly to the feasibility and sustainability of the newly built (or heavily renovated) facilities.

One of the central controversies revolves around the construction of the Cortina sliding center (bobsled, luge, skeleton). Faced with immense budget overruns and timeline pressures, the initial plan to rebuild the historical track has been fraught with debate. Environmentalists and even the IOC have pushed for using existing tracks in places like Igls (Austria) or St. Moritz (Switzerland) to avoid creating a costly 'white elephant'—a key legacy failure the IOC is desperate to avoid.

The Italian government has pushed back, aiming to deliver an entirely Italian Games, but these disputes highlight the tightrope walk between national pride and fiscal responsibility.

Key Logistical Bottlenecks for 2026:

• Transportation Network: Connecting Milan to the far-flung mountain venues (which can be over four hours apart by car) requires a revolution in rail and highway efficiency during peak winter tourist season. Efficient transport is non-negotiable for spectator flow.
• The Sliding Center Dilemma: If Italy proceeds with a costly new build, can they guarantee long-term operational viability? Failure to manage this decision will cast a shadow over their sustainability promises.
• Budget Overruns: Winter venues often require specialized, temporary facilities vulnerable to weather changes, increasing costs. Maintaining a tight budget, as Paris managed, is crucial for public perception.
• Accommodation Capacity: Unlike Paris, which has abundant hotel rooms, the scattered mountain locations have finite high-capacity lodging. This limits spectator numbers and risks price gouging, diminishing the inclusive feel.

Italy's solution must be a logistical masterpiece powered by high-speed rail and synchronized digital ticketing that maps the full spectator journey, from airport arrival to mountain slope viewing. The focus must be less on monumental structures and more on intelligent, temporary venue management that minimizes environmental impact in the sensitive Dolomite region.

The promise of the Games relies heavily on showcasing Italian engineering prowess alongside the stunning natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.

Measuring Success: Beyond Medals and Budget

If Italy delivers the infrastructure on time, does that guarantee a Paris-level success? Absolutely not. True success, in the post-Paris era, is measured by the emotional resonance and perceived legacy of the event.

For Milan-Cortina 2026 to be truly transformative, it must achieve three core aims that go beyond hitting deadlines:

1. Sustainability and Alpine Preservation

Paris excelled at using existing urban spaces. Italy must excel at environmental stewardship. The 2026 Games are positioned as a "Sustainable Games," requiring transparent proof that minimal long-term damage occurred to the protected Alpine environment. Success means venues designed for modular reuse, renewable energy powering the Olympic Village, and a net positive impact on local infrastructure (e.g., improved water treatment, upgraded local transport). The world is expecting more from Winter Games hosts regarding climate change responsibility.

2. The Seamless Spectator Experience (La Dolce Vita, Reimagined)

Italy's strongest asset is its culture and flair. While the infrastructure is functional, the atmosphere must be spectacular. Italy needs to fuse efficient German-level organization with Italian elegance. Imagine high-quality local food vendors, accessible cultural festivals in both Milan and the mountain hubs, and digital wayfinding that makes navigating the dispersed venues feel effortless. If spectators spend less time queuing and more time enjoying *La Dolce Vita* against a snowy backdrop, Italy wins.

3. Global Soft Power Projection

Paris used the Games to reinforce its image as a dynamic, modern, and accessible world capital. Italy must use 2026 to project confidence, efficiency, and environmental leadership. After facing scrutiny over initial delays and infrastructure debates, a flawless execution in 2026 would reset the global narrative about Italy's capacity to host large, complex mega-events.

If Milan-Cortina can solve the logistical puzzle, uphold rigorous sustainability standards, and infuse the experience with irresistible Italian style, then yes—Italy can deliver for the Winter Olympics what Paris delivered for the Summer Games. It will be a success measured not just in dollars spent or records broken, but in the memory of effortless joy against the majesty of the Dolomites.

Can Italy do for the Winter Olympics what Paris did for the Summer Games? - The Athletic

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