Milano Cortina 2026: Celebrating women, inspiring the future

Following the conclusion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and as March sees us celebrate progress for women and girls in sport and beyond, IOC President Kirsty Coventry reflects on the significance of these Games for future generations in an op-ed published by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games now over, I am able to spend a little more time with my daughters. And I find myself reflecting on something far deeper than the medals and records set in Italy - what these Games mean for future generations. 

Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered for extraordinary achievements by athletes who delivered their best performances in iconic venues.  This year, more than at any previous Olympic Winter Games, those feats were from women, as we achieved the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games in history, with women accounting for 47 per cent of the athletes. Four new women’s events were added for Milano Cortina 2026, meaning more women’s events than any previous Olympic Winter Games — 50 in total. In twelve of the sixteen sports, women and men competed side by side in equal numbers. On top of that, we had 12 mixed events. That progress is more than a statistic — it is a reflection of opportunity expanding, of barriers continuing to fall, and of a future where every girl can see herself on the field of play. 

Team Italia embodied that spirit, with its women athletes leading the way and capturing the imagination of the nation. Lifted by the performances of national stars like alpine skier Federica Brignone and speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida, the team delivered the best results in its history at these Games.  

Federica’s performance was especially remarkable, coming just ten months after she suffered a major injury — a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination that define great champions, who are able to get back up after being knocked down.  

Francesca showed that it is possible to be a successful elite athlete and a mother at the same time. She inspired the world - and especially all of us working mothers - when she ran over and picked up her little boy after her race.  

These achievements reflected not only preparation and talent, but also the flair and fighting spirit that define Italian sport. Each medal, each personal best, and each courageous effort in front of a home crowd demonstrated the power of competing with the support of an entire nation behind you. The Italian athletes were pushing boundaries and were inspirational for the entire nation.  

The progress we have seen on the field of play, with more women competing than ever before, must now be reflected just as clearly beyond it. Achieving the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games in history is a milestone to celebrate — but it cannot be the finish line. We need to see that same balance among coaches, team leaders, technical officials, and decision-makers. The Milano Cortina 2026 volunteers, who welcomed the world with warmth and pride, showed us the way with more than 50 per cent of them women. 

Sport is a pathway to success, belonging, and leadership. When women and girls participate in sport, they grow stronger in every sense — physically, mentally, and socially. From playgrounds and schools to podiums and boardrooms, sport gives women and girls the power to write their own stories, build confidence, claim their space, and lead the change they want to see. Every step in this journey creates new opportunities — to become an elite athlete, a coach, a leader, a graduate, or an inspiration to a community. It is our responsibility to create and protect these pathways, ensuring that women and girls not only compete, but truly thrive at every level of our Movement. 

For me, one memory of these Games stands above all the rest: watching my daughter meet her heroes, eyes wide with wonder. On a day when we celebrate the achievements and potential of women around the world, I am especially proud that these Games showcased that progress so clearly on the field of play. In that moment, I was reminded why the Olympic Games matter. They inspire. They connect. And they show us what is possible — together.