The Organizing Committee of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, together with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), organized a key event for broadcast rights holders (MRHs) at Fiera Milano Congressi, which will be the Main Media Center (MMC) next winter. This meeting, the third of its kind, brought together more than 270 participants from around the world, including representatives from the IOC, IPC, CONI and partners such as Alibaba. Over three days, attendees discussed operational plans, visited venues and explored technological innovations to ensure quality coverage.

Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of OBS, opened the event along with Giovanni Malagò, President of CONI, and Andrea Varnier, CEO of Milano Cortina 2026. Also taking part were prominent Italian athletes such as Arianna Fontana, multiple Olympic short track speed skating champion, and Andrea Macri, member of the national para ice hockey team. Exarchos highlighted the confidence in organizing a successful and stylish Games, underlining the commitment to innovation and excellence.

THE IMPRESSIVE VENUES IN MILAN

On February 19, participants toured Milan’s main cluster venues, including iconic facilities such as the San Siro Stadium, which will host the Opening Ceremony, and the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, currently under construction. They also visited the Milano Ice Skating Arena, the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, all of which are set to host ice skating and ice hockey competitions.

In addition, attendees explored the International Broadcast Center (IBC), which will be the hub of broadcast operations during the Games. Most of these venues are already in regular use, reflecting the organizers’ commitment to the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, which prioritize sustainability and the use of existing infrastructure.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

During the event, the MRHs participated in presentations led by Mark Wallace, OBS Chief Content Officer, and Sotiris Salamouris, OBS Chief Technology Officer. These sessions addressed key topics such as the integration of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve coverage of the Games. They also discussed technical strategies to ensure smooth transmissions in the different clusters and the logistical coordination between OBS, Milano Cortina 2026 and local authorities.

On February 20, presentations focused on how technological innovations will not only improve the quality of broadcasts, but also allow the athletes’ stories to be told in a more exciting and relatable way. Arianna Fontana highlighted the importance of sharing the stories behind each medal, stating that these unique narratives deserve to be known to the world.

OBS’ COMMITMENT TO ATHLETES

Yiannis Exarchos stressed that OBS’s mission is not simply to showcase technology, but to use it as a tool to bring fans closer to the action, emotions and human moments that define the Olympic Games. This approach ensures that the athletes’ narrative remains the main driver of the coverage, connecting global audiences with the stories of the best winter athletes.