Who will be the candidate as the flag bearer for Italy?

At present, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has not yet officially announced who will be Italy's flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, scheduled for Feb. 6-22, 2026. However, several nominations and speculations have emerged as to who might receive this honor.

Leading candidates for the role of standard-bearer

Federica Brignone - Alpine Skiing

Federica Brignone, a champion alpine skier, expressed her desire to be a standard-bearer, stating that it would be "the crowning achievement of a career" and that she feels deserving of the nomination.

Sofia Goggia - Alpine Skiing

Sofia Goggia, winner of Olympic downhill gold in PyeongChang 2018, is another possible candidate. However, she said the decision is not up to her and preferred not to comment further on the topic.

Federico Pellegrino - Cross-country skiing

Federico Pellegrino, a silver medalist in the sprint at PyeongChang 2018, is considered the leader of the Italian cross-country skiing movement. CONI President Giovanni Malagò has acknowledged his central role, while refraining from commenting on the issue of the flag bearer.

Davide Ghiotto - Speed Skating

David Ghiotto recently won his third consecutive world title in the 10,000 meters, becoming the first Italian to succeed in this discipline. These achievements make him a strong candidate for the role of flag bearer.

When will the standard bearer be announced?

Traditionally, the CONI announces the Olympic flag bearers a few months before the start of the Games. For Milan-Cortina 2026, the official announcement is expected by the end of 2025, probably at a ceremony at the Quirinal with the President of the Republic.

Conclusion

Although there is no official announcement yet, athletes like Federica Brignone, Sofia Goggia, Federico Pellegrino e David Ghiotto are among the leading candidates to carry the Tricolor during the Milan-Cortina 2026 opening ceremony. The final decision will take into account the athletic achievements, leadership and symbolism associated with each athlete.

To stay up-to-date on the official announcement and the latest news about the Games, you should follow the official channels of the CONI and the Organizing Committee of Milan-Cortina 2026.

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