Message from the new CEO of Milano Cortina 2026

On 1 December 2022, Andrea Varnier became the new Chief Executive Officer of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee for the Olympic Winter and Paralympic Games. Originally from Verona, Varnier, 60, was chosen for his vast experience of over 30 years in the communications, events, sports and entertainment industries covering many different roles and responsibilities.

Reflecting on the importance of learning opportunities and knowledge acquisition and transfer, he said:

“Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a unique and complex project. From a learning point of view, it is fundamental to ensure that everyone involved in the project develops the right knowledge and has access to the right information to fulfil their duties and use this knowledge to make well-educated decisions. It is a continuous learning process that has to evolve during the various phases of our project.” He added: “Ensuring access for everyone to existing knowledge and building new learning opportunities to fill any gaps is one of the pillars on which successful Games are built, ensuring a lasting legacy.”

Varnier has been familiar with the Olympic world since 2001, when he was appointed Image and Events Director of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Torino 2006. For the Beijing 2008 Games, he acted as an advisor to the IOC. Then, for the Rio 2016 Games, he was Managing Director of one of the organising bodies, the “Cerimonias Cariocas” consortium, comprising local company Srcom and Filmmaster Events, through which he oversaw the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay, the team welcome ceremonies and the Live Site management services.