Sports Bulletin Report
Lausanne (Switzerland): The Italian Alps are set to host the next Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2028. This decision was taken by the IOC Members today during the 143rd IOC Session in Lausanne, following a presentation by the project leaders.
Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will be the fifth edition of the Winter YOG. Competitions will take place only in existing venues across three clusters in Valtellina, Trentino and Cortina, returning to some of the iconic sports venues that will be used for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The 2028 YOG will be part of the Milano Cortina 2026 legacy, and will reinvest in communities with strong winter sports traditions.
The project is led by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), and the governments of the regions of Veneto and Lombardy and the Autonomous Province of Trento, supported by the Italian national government, and is in line with long-term plans to raise the regions’ profile as a winter sports destination.
The Italian delegation at Olympic House comprised Giovanni Malagò, CONI President and IOC Member in Italy; Andrea Abodi, Italian Minister of Sport and Youth; Attilio Fontana, Lombardy Region President; Maurizio Fugatti, President of the Autonomous Province of Trento; Cristiano Corazzari, Veneto Regional Councillor for Culture and Sport; and Olympic champions Diana Bianchedi and Antonio Rossi.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The election of Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 is an expression of the IOC’s confidence in Italy’s ability to deliver world class, exceptional winter sports events. The Olympic Movement and the host regions are already excited about Milano Cortina 2026, with just over one year to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Today’s news means that excitement will extend until the end of the decade, and the benefits for local communities will continue.”
Abodi said: “Italy is once again ready to put its heart, passion and expertise into hosting an event that will be not only a spectacular sporting occasion, but also a meaningful opportunity for growth for the entire nation. We aim to inspire the younger generations to embrace the value of sport as a tool for inclusion and social cohesion - a universal language capable of uniting cultures and nations, and fostering the diplomacy we so greatly need.”
“Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will consolidate the impact of Milano Cortina 2026 and further build on legacy programmes to empower young athletes and civic leaders,” he said. “The Commission found that the vision for the Youth Olympic Games is fully aligned with long-term regional plans, youth, sports and education policies, and the goals of Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5.”
Seven of the 11 proposed venues for the YOG will have been used in 2026 – Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre in Bormio, Livigno Aerials and Mogul Park and Livigno Snow Park for freestyle/snowboard, Cortina Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, and Cortina Olympic Stadium, for curling. The programme also presents an opportunity to take competitions to venues that cannot be used in 2026.
CONI President Giovanni Malagò said: “This is a historic day for Italian sport and for athletes across the world. Building on the remarkable legacy of Milano Cortina 2026, Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will offer a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation, showcase the transformative power of sport, and set new benchmarks for global events. This significant achievement for our country has been made possible through the strong support of the national government, as well as the dedication of our regional and local partners. Italy and CONI have shown that we are reliable partners of the IOC, and together we will certainly deliver an unprecedented edition of the YOG.”
