Italy's Milan/Cortina elected host of 2026 Winter Olympic Games

It will be the third time for Italy to host the Winter Olympic Games. Cortina was the first Italian city to host the Games in 1956 and Turin staged the event in 2006.

Timothy Fok, the IOC member from Hong Kong, China, said the strong government support proved vital in Milan/Cortina's victory.

"It is very important that Milan has very strong support from the Italian government," he told Xinhua. "Although both candidates are from traditional winter sports nations."

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who joined the Italian bidding delegation in the presentation, promised full support from his government to the northern Italian cities.