The Italian bid by Milano-Cortina has been awarded the 25th Olympic Winter Games, to take place in 2026. Milano-Cortina received 47 votes while the Swedish bid Stockholm-Are received 34 votes.

IOC President Thomas Bach said:

“Congratulations to Milan-Cortina. We can look forward to outstanding and sustainable Olympic Winter Games in a traditional winter sports country. The passion and knowledge of Italian fans, together with experienced venue operators, will create the perfect atmosphere for the best athletes in the world. The Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026 will feature iconic venues and beautiful settings, combining the attractions of a modern European metropolis with a classic Alpine environment.”

Particularly the biathlon events are going to find themselves in a classic and very familiar place: the athletes will be competing for Olympic glory in Antholz-Anterselva, the venue of next year's IBU World Championships 2020.

The 2026 OWG will be the will take place 20 years after the last games In Italy (Turin 2006) and will take place 70 years after the Olympic Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956. This was four years before biathlon was introduced as a medal event at the 1960 OWG in Squaw Valley, USA.