Almost 70 years after the Winter Olympics of 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is preparing to host Milano Cortina 2026. This event, which will bring together the world’s best athletes, is eagerly awaited by winter sports enthusiasts. It will be an opportunity to celebrate the evolution of the sport and pay tribute to past Games, while highlighting the innovations and new challenges of the Olympic world.
As preparations progress, we have gathered the testimonies of two prominent skiers: Jean Mermet, a former French athlete who took part in the 1956 Olympics, and Lindsey Vonn, an American Olympic champion who is considering a return to competition. These testimonies provide a better understanding of how the Winter Olympics and skiing have evolved over the years.
Italy and the Olympic Games: a rich and prestigious heritage
Milano Cortina 2026 will mark the fourth time that Italy has hosted the Olympic Games. The country has already hosted this major event three times, leaving a strong mark on Olympic history.
1956: Cortina d’Ampezzo, the first Winter Games in Italy
The first Olympic Games to be held in Italy were the Winter Games of 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo. These Games marked an important turning point for winter sports, thanks in particular to technological advances in television broadcasting. For the first time, the Winter Olympic Games were broadcast live in several European countries, thus offering unprecedented worldwide exposure to these disciplines.
1960: Rome and the golden age of the Summer Games
In 1960, Rome hosted the Summer Olympics, an eventful edition. These Games saw the emergence of iconic sports figures such as Cassius Clay (Mohamed Ali) in boxing and Wilma Rudolph in athletics. For the occasion, Italy built modern infrastructure, including the famous Stadio Olimpico, which is still used today for major sporting events.
2006: Turin, modernity at the service of winter sports
Italy once again became an Olympic host in 2006 with the Winter Games in Turin. These Games showcased disciplines such as snowboarding and speed skating, attracting millions of spectators from all over the world. Turin 2006 also marked a step forward in the logistical organisation of the Games, with modern infrastructure and a high degree of fluidity in the movement of athletes.
1956: a time when cross-country skiing was still an amateur sport
At the time of the 1956 Games, cross-country skiing was still far from being as popular and professionalised as it is today. Jean Mermet remembers that this discipline received very little media coverage and suffered from comparison with alpine skiing, which was much more spectacular. ‘Cross-country skiing was the poor relation of skiing!’ he says. ‘It was mainly practised in regions such as the Jura, the Vosges and the Vercors, but was virtually absent from the Alps.’
Cross-country skiers did not benefit from the same infrastructure or the same level of support as alpine skiers. Their training was limited, mainly because they were not full-time professionals. ‘At the time, it was more volunteer work than professionalism. We had another job in the summer, and only transport and accommodation were provided to participate in the Olympics.’ However, this did not prevent Jean Mermet from performing well in competitions.
Difficult conditions at the 1956 Olympic Games
One of Jean Mermet’s most vivid memories is the lack of snow, which disrupted the course of the Games. ‘We were very well received in 1956, everything went well despite a major problem: there was very little snow!’ This lack of snow forced the organisers to modify certain courses. As a result, the athletes had to adapt to conditions and terrain they were not familiar with, adding an extra level of difficulty to the competition. ‘Training was not optimal: in December, due to a lack of snow, the planned training in Les Houches (Chamonix) was moved to the Aiguille plateau (Aiguille du Midi), with a difficult and unsuitable profile and poor snow conditions; moreover, in Italy, we did not know what the snow would be like there.’
Despite these difficulties, Jean Mermet managed to achieve honourable placings in his three events, finishing 20th in the 15 km, 18th in the 30 km and 6th in the relay. Even if the conditions were not ideal, team spirit remained ‘We shared all the training sessions and competitions together and even if the conditions were not always optimal, we helped each other in all circumstances.’
2026: mental health at the heart of the Milano Cortina Olympic Games
Seventy years later, the Olympic Games have changed a lot. Today, athletes benefit from medical supervision, physical trainers and psychologists to support them in their careers. Jean Mermet is impressed by this development, particularly with regard to the issue of mental health. He tells us that in the past, mental health was not a major concern for athletes: ‘Mental health was not discussed at all. These were concepts that did not exist; we only saw the discipline and the events.’
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set up specific programmes to help athletes manage the pressure. For example, the ‘mind zone’, a relaxation area set up in the Olympic villages, which will allow athletes to recharge mentally. This consideration of the overall well-being of the athletes marks a great step forward compared to the games of the past, where only physical health was taken into account.
Lindsey Vonn: a return to her roots in Cortina
Milano Cortina 2026 will also be marked by the return of a legend of alpine skiing: Lindsey Vonn. The American, a multiple Olympic medallist, has announced that she is considering a return to competition. For her, Cortina is a place full of memories. ‘Cortina is where everything fell into place for me: it was there that I learnt how to approach a race, to stand on the podium and, above all, that I realised that I was capable of winning’.
Following repeated injuries, the skier had to take early retirement in 2019. However, the call of competition was stronger, and she rediscovered her motivation and desire to ski. “Retiring from the sport was not so much a choice as a necessity. I had accumulated too many injuries, my body was no longer cooperating and my right knee was damaged. It was devastating to leave the sport I loved so much, but I knew it was the only choice for my physical well-being.‘ She knows that the challenge will be difficult, but her love of competition remains intact. ’My return to competitive skiing was motivated by my love of the sport, the speed and the exhilaration that drew me to the slopes.”
A historic edition for gender parity
One of the major challenges of Milano Cortina 2026 will be the participation of women, which should reach a record level with around 47% of athletes in competition. Lindsey Vonn is delighted with this progress. ‘The Olympic Games serve as a stage to promote many progressive ideas, foster change and set the tone for how the rest of the world approaches gender equality.’
For his part, Jean Mermet is pleased to see that women have taken a much more prominent place in cross-country skiing. ‘It’s a very good thing that we see more women now.’
As the games approach, they are shaping up to be a memorable edition. They symbolise both respect for the past and the desire to build a more inclusive and technological future for sport. Jean Mermet, who followed the Paris 2024 Olympic Games closely, is eager to see what Milano Cortina 2026 has to offer. ‘I followed the Paris 2024 Olympics and I will also follow the Milano Cortina Olympics next year. It’s an event I’m not going to miss!’
With an exceptional natural setting in the Dolomites, modern infrastructure and legendary athletes, these Winter Olympics promise to be a highlight in the history of sport.
