Preparations for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are progressing steadily, Milan-Cortina Foundation CEO Andrea Varnier said on Thursday.
Speaking to China Central Television in an exclusive interview during a promotional roadshow event held in Beijing, Varnier updated the latest preparations for the next year's Games.
He reported that all venues are almost ready following recent test events and felt advanced technology is the main difference compared to 2006 Turin Games.
"The average is very good. We are happy with the preparation and we know there are a couple of areas where we have to work to the very last moment because it's normal in this type of events, but our venues are almost all ready and we performed most of our test events last season and they were all very successful. So, we were very happy with that," Varnier said.
"After 20 years, things change. First of all, technology, even if in 2006, there was already a lot of technology, but nothing compared to that we have now. And so that it's an important aspect that has consequences, for example, cyber security. Cyber security was a word nobody even used in 2006. And now we invest a lot in that, because it's a very important item for the security and safety of the world. So technology is definitely the most important," he continued.
Varnier promised the Games will use new organizing model to maximize venue sustainability and the San Siro Stadium will serve as main site for next year's opening ceremony.
"So it's a new model, completely different and we think it's a model that will be looked into for the future, and following us in France, they will use a very similar model to use again existing location, existing venues as much as possible. So, there is one main site which is the Olympic stadium in Milan, San Siro," he said.
The CEO also expect a lot of Chinese to watch the Games on television and welcomes Chinese tourists to visit Italy and enjoy hospitality of the host nation.
Winter Olympic preparations on track: Milan-Cortina 2026 CEO
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
