With just six months to go until the next Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina 2026, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) warmly welcomes the approval of the Decreto Sport (Sports Decree) by Parliament. The Law Decree 96/2025 includes — among other provisions — a key article that makes a significant contribution to strengthening the operational governance of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation.

Specifically, the number of members on the Foundation’s Board of Directors has been expanded to a maximum of 18, with up to 9 members appointed by the sporting sector. This development enables CONI, at its next National Executive Board meeting scheduled for 9 September, to appoint — in accordance with Article 35 of the Olympic Charter — the CONI President, Luciano Buonfiglio, as an ex officio member of the Board.

"I would like to thank Minister Abodi for skilfully resolving what had become a rather tangled situation," said President Buonfiglio. "It could have caused serious functional issues in these final months leading up to the Games. Thanks to this decree, the Milano Cortina Organising Committee will now benefit from a streamlined appointment process for the sporting representatives, which we will ratify at the next Executive Board meeting. I look forward to joining my colleagues and continuing this extraordinary journey towards the Games together".