Italian ski star Sofia Goggia played an important part in helping Italy win the rights to host the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Because of her contribution, it was considered special and meaningful that she took part in the opening ceremony.
During Friday’s (February 6, 2026) opening ceremony, Goggia had the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron in Cortina, marking the official start of the Games in the mountain venue.
At the same time, in Milan, two retired Italian Olympic skiing legends — Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni — also took part in the ceremony and lit another cauldron. Their participation added a sense of history and pride to the event.
The ceremony celebrated Italy’s rich winter sports tradition and brought together past and present champions. Fans saw it as a symbolic moment, linking the country’s sporting legacy with the future of the Olympics.