Bach in Cortina: 2026 Winter Olympics Are a "Crucial Signal" in a World Defined by Aggression and Hatred

During a visit to the German House in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Sunday night, Thomas Bach, the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), delivered a poignant message on the role of sports in global stability. Bach, 72, emphasized that the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games serve as a vital antidote to a historical moment marred by "aggression, hatred, and war."

Bach argued that humanity is "longing for something that brings us together," pointing out that the true essence of the Olympics lies in seeing rivals "fight for victory and then embrace." To him, these human moments are more important than the competition itself, providing a rare platform for unity as geopolitical tensions reach a breaking point. As the 2026 Games unfold, Bach sees the Olympic flame as a necessary beacon of hope for a fractured planet.