CONI officially invited to participate in the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. At the Strehler Theater in Milan, on the occasion of the “One Year to Go” celebrations for the Italian Games, IOC President Thomas Bach forwarded official invitations to the National Olympic Committees and their top winter sports athletes to participate in the five-circle event to be held in Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige from February 6 to 22, 2026.

The IOC’s number one symbolically presented invitations to the presidents and representatives of Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and the Olympic committees of the host countries of the past and upcoming editions of the five-circle review: Australia (Brisbane 2032), China (Beijing 2022), France (Paris 2024 and French Alps 2030), Italy (Milan Cortina 2026) and the United States (Los Angeles 2028 and Salt Lake City-Utah 2034). Receiving him for CONI were President and IOC member Giovanni Malagò swimming Olympian and IOC member Federica Pellegrini and Amos Mosaner, Olympic curling champion at Beijing 2022, representing all the athletes of the Italy Team.

In his speech during the ceremony Bach said, “Athletes are at the center of the Olympic Movement. What better way to honor our ancient heritage and to manifest our faith in the future than through the presence of Olympians who represent the National Olympic Committees of our Greek roots and the hosts of the Olympic Games and Winter Games of the past and future. They symbolize the continuityà of the Olympic Games, rooted in history and always moving forward to a brighter future. Milan, Cortina and all our Italian friends are ready to welcome the best winter sports athletes on the planet with open arms, with Italy&s renowned hospitality and love for sport”.

Some 2,900 athletes from more than 90 National Olympic Committees are expected to participate in the Milan Cortina 2026 Games. And Bach, who in recent days has met with the country&#39s top institutional officials (Mattarella and Meloni) and visited CONI and its Olympic Preparation Center, stressed how there is growing enthusiasm in Italy for the Games’s imminent arrival in our territory. “The excitement is growing and has already reached millions of people. Programs like Italy of the Games, Gen26 and the Cultural Olympiad are spreading Olympic values, promoting active lifestyles and merging sports and culture throughout Italy. The Torch Relay will carry the Olympic flame to all Italian provinces. The volunteer program attracted nearly four times as many applications as available positions, reflecting the immense enthusiasm for these Winter Olympic Games. All this and countless other initiatives wonderfully demonstrate that the legacy of Milan Cortina 2026 is taking shape long before the Olympic flame is lit”.

“Those of Milan Cortina 2026 – he added – will be the first Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to fully benefit from the reforms of our Olympic Agenda from start to finish. Together with all of our Italian partners and friends, along with all of you, we look forward to the Winter Olympic Games that will pulsate with Italy’s passion for sports and highlight Italy&#39s unique culture and heritage.

Present at the ceremony were Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport; the Minister for Sports and Youth Andrea Abodi; the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala; the Mayor of Cortina d’Ampezzo Gianluca Lorenzi; the President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana; the President of the Veneto Region Luca Zaia; the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento Maurizio Fugatti and the President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano Arno Kompatscher.

“The competitions will take place in iconic locations rich in winter sports traditions – concluded Bach -. Most of them are already hosting world-class events year after year. Locations such as Cortina, Livigno, Val di Fiemme, Bormio and Anterselva are synonymous with winter sports. Milan Cortina 2026 brings the Winter Olympic Games to places where winter sports are part of local identity. This approach è very much in line with the Olympic Agenda, making the most of existing state-of-the-art facilities”.

Marcelo retires from soccer

Marcelo has announced his farewell to soccer at the age of 36. The Brazilian full-back after a turbulent farewell to Fluminense has decided to end his glorious career for good. “My story as a soccer player ends here but I still have so much to give to soccer. Thanks for everything”, he wrote on social.

Marcelo’s name will remain unquestionably linked to Real Madrid, where he played for 16 years, winning 25 titles, including five Champions League and six La Liga. Arriving in 2006 as Roberto Carlos’ successor, he did not make him regret playing 546 games with the Madrid club.

The black and green player has played 721 games in his career, scoring 58 goals and dishing out 117 decisive assists.

With Brazil, he won the Confederations Cup and came second at the 2012 London Olympics. In addition to Fluminense and Real, he also played one season at Olympiacos in 2022-2023.

Bourgoin Jallieu-Reims, the probable formations

The last match of the French Cup round of 16 sees Reims away to Bourgoin-Jallieu. The home team surprised everyone by eliminating Lyon on penalties, a historic feat for an amateur club. Reims, fresh off a loss to Nantes in the league and a penalty shootout win in the cup against Monaco, continues to show potential, but lacks continuity.

The home team will take the field with a 3-4-1-2 with Jay in goal, Mbaé right arm, W. Mendy on the left and Nirlo a central defender. J. Mendy will actà on the right flank as outside back, while Imbert on the left. Forward, a two-man attack composed of Kohser and Bozkurt.

The visiting team responds with 4-2-3-1: Diouf in goal, Edoa and Patrick will be the two midfielders and will have the task of protecting the defense. On the three-quarter will act; Kone, supported by Ito on the right and Diakhon on the left. In attack, the’only center forward will be Diakité.

Probable lineups

Bourgoin (3-4-1-2): Jay; Mbaé, Nirlo, W. Mendy; J. Mendy, Zaytouni, Moumen, Imbert; Moujetzky; Kohser, Bozkurt. Coach: Morel.

Reims (4-2-3-1): Diouf; Buta, Jeng, Kipré, Sangui; Edoa, Patrick; Ito, Kone, Diakhon; Diakité. Coach: Diawara.