Milan Cortina 2026 President and IOC member Giovanni Malagò stressed the need for "continuity" ©Getty Images

Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee President Giovanni Malagò has stressed the need for "continuity" to aid preparations for the Games, following political turmoil in Italy.

Brothers of Italy's Giorgia Meloni became Italy's new Prime Minister in October last year after elections the previous month - the first woman to hold the role and widely viewed as the country's most right-wing leader since the World War II.

That followed the collapse of the previous Government led by Mario Draghi in July.

The uncertainty led to delays to structural reforms to the Milan Cortina 2026 Organising Committee including the appointment of a new chief executive, with Andrea Varnier eventually succeeding Vincenzo Novari in November.

There have been concerns over the pace of preparations for Milan Cortina 2026, including plans to redevelop the Eugenio Monti sliding track in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission said it had observed "positive progress" following its first in-person visit last month, although identified growing the domestic partner programme as a key priority.

Malagò, who is also an IOC member and President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, said that political instability in Italy had not been conducive to efficient preparations for Milan Cortina 2026.

Italy swung significantly to the right with the election of Giorgia Meloni as Prime Minister last year, after the collapse of the previous Government ©Getty Images
Italy swung significantly to the right with the election of Giorgia Meloni as Prime Minister last year, after the collapse of the previous Government ©Getty Images

"With Milan-Cortina 2026, for example, we paid a very high price," he said.

"When I recently told my colleagues at the IOC, they were flabbergasted: we got the Games against Stockholm in June 2019 and since then I've met four Governments with four different Ministers and Undersecretaries who deal with sports.

"In addition, I include all the rest, such as Heads of Cabinet and Infrastructure Ministers.

"How is it conceivable to work well on average in this way?

"We need continuity to advance on the various events.

"My approach is fully collaborative and complicit with the Government, in which I trust."

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22 2026, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 15.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure recently announced €33 million (£29.2 million/$35.2 million) in investment on legacy infrastructure projects linked to the Games.