2026 Winter Olympics: Sofia Goggia lights the cauldron in Cortina after helping Italy secure Olympic hosting rights

Sofia Goggia had a key role in securing the hosting rights of the Milan Cortina Olympics for Italy.

So it seemed fitting that the Italian downhiller lit the cauldron in Cortina to conclude Friday’s (February 6, 2026) opening ceremony, while retired Olympic skiing champions Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni performed the honours simultaneously in Milan.

In 2019, Goggia and snowboarder Michela Moioli made a joint speech and dabbed in unison before nearly 100 members of the International Olympic Committee at the voting session for the 2026 Games. Their presentation was later considered vital for Milan Cortina’s successful bid — winning over voters with their positive energy to overcome a rival candidacy from Sweden.

Goggia won gold in the downhill at the 2018 Olympics and took silver four years later in Beijing weeks after crashing in Cortina.

She’ll race for more medals in the women’s downhill on Sunday in Cortina.

Goggia has had a series of highs and lows in Cortina. She’s won four World Cup downhills on the mountain but missed the 2021 world championships at the Alpine resort because of injury.

“There’s a special place in my heart for this course,” Goggia said. “It’s intense and free like I am.”

It was a big night for Italian Alpine skiers, with defending overall World Cup champion Federica Brignone one of the host country’s flag bearers in Cortina. Olympic curling champion Amos Mosaner, Italy’s other flag bearer in Cortina, held Brignone on his shoulders when the Azzurri paraded through the town center.

“I’m heavy,” Brignone said, “so I wasn’t sure he could carry me.” Stefania Constantini, who won gold with Mosaner in mixed doubles in Beijing, and luger Dominik Fischnaller, read the Olympic oath in Cortina.

Gustav Thoeni, the 1972 Olympic giant slalom champion, was the penultimate torch bearer in Cortina and handed off to Goggia.