President Sergio Mattarella received Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer, the newly crowned Olympic champions in the women’s doubles. A guest of the Officers’ Club of the Italian Navy in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Head of State congratulated the two Italians, who triumphed in a discipline making its historic Olympic debut: “Brilliant, you were magnificent. It was a fine competition,” said President Mattarella.

Also present at the meeting (photo Quirinale) were technical director Armin Zoeggeler and CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, who later witnessed live the feat of the two Italians, followed by the triumph of Emanuel Rieder and Simon Kainzwaldner in the men’s competition.

“We are still emotional. We knew the German and Austrian pairs were very strong and that motivated us to do even better,” said Voetter and Oberhofer, who then posed for a photograph with the Head of State. The two Olympians will also compete tomorrow in the team relay, the event that will bring the luge programme at Milano Cortina 2026 to a close. (agc)