The designs for the torch, medals, sport pictograms and mascots of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Milano Cortina 2026) have been unveiled by Rafaella Panie, the Games' brand and creative director.
Panie said the minimalist torch design allows people to focus their attention on the flame.
"What we (were) interested here is to have the idea that you've got a reflective surface which of course also gives attention to the flame. Because all the atmosphere around it and all the circumstances that will be around it will make sure that the attention is very much on that," she said while sharing her idea on the torch design.
The medal features two halves, reflecting the two Italian host cities and the efforts of athletes and their teams, families, and supporters, she said.
The mascots for the Milano Cortina 2026 are two sibling stoats named Tina and Milo, which are chosen by the public.
"We actually got 1,600 designs from schools. We chose 10, and then from 10 we went to 2. And these two were the stoats and the flowers. So we did a public voting, and in the public voting, the stoats came out as first place. So these are official mascots chosen by the public," said Panie.
Panie added that the mascot stoat for the Paralympic Winter Games is missing one leg, and instead, is using its tail to stand, showcasing the idea of resilience and inclusion.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from Feb 6-22, 2026, across various locations in Lombardy and Northeast Italy, specifically at sites in and around Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and the Valtellina and Fiemme valleys. The Games will be jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Milano Cortina 2026 unveils designs for Olympic torch, medal, sport pictogram, mascot
The Ecological and Environmental Code solidifies China's successful reform experiences in the form of law, transforming ecological conservation into a long-term national goal for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, said a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday.
Chinese lawmakers voted to adopt the Ecological and Environmental Code at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing earlier in the day.
Lyu Zhongmei, also vice chair of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, who first proposed the drafting of the code, said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the adoption of the code represents a milestone in transforming the country's successful reform policies into a stable legal framework, with profound implications on both national ecological governance and people's daily lives.
"I think this actually sends a very strong signal to the world. Many of our past achievements in ecological civilization system reform were reflected through policies, with numerous reform measures introduced. This time, we are institutionalizing the successful experience of those reforms in the form of law, the most authoritative and stable way to solidify them. This shows that our efforts are not just a one-off campaign. Rather, ecological and environmental protection and the building of an ecological civilization are national goals that reflect the people’s aspiration for a better life and serve the ultimate purpose of ensuring the sustainable development of the Chinese nation," said Lyu.
Lyu highlighted that the code directly enshrines China's greenhouse gas pledge and dual-carbon goals into law, demonstrating the country's concrete actions to fulfill its international responsibilities and uphold its image as a responsible major country.
"We have directly written the commitment to fully meet greenhouse gas targets into the code, and incorporated pledges to use the 'dual carbon' goals as a driving force to advance a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. I think this reflects our concrete actions to honor our commitments and take responsibility to the international community, demonstrating China’s image as a responsible major country," she said.
On the topic of global trade, she explained how the code will help safeguard China's interests.
"On the one hand, we are raising standards for the green and low-carbon transition and adopting market-based measures. Some of the standards we have established based on China's actual situation and the methodologies we have created can contribute China's experience and expertise to the world. On the other hand, the Ecological and Environmental Code also includes provisions on extraterritorial application and establishes China’s own system of environmental protection standards," Lyu said.
Looking to the future, she discussed the code's role in the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, I believe our ecological and environmental protection will undergo fundamental changes. In the past, it relied more on strict administrative enforcement and control. But now, while not lowering strict control standards or reducing strict control measures, we must also introduce more incentive-based measures. Strict regulation will push enterprises to transform and encourage them to pursue environmental protection. The code will provide a clear, long-term and stable norm. In my view, the Ecological and Environmental Code is not only a 'tightening band' that constrains corporate behavior, but also an 'engine' that opens up new tracks for enterprises’ future development," she said.
China's ecological environmental code represents milestone in environmental rule of law
