As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are underway, the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) held the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Legacy Coffee at China House on February 10. Angelita Teo, Director of the IOC Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, and Fu Xiaohui, Vice Chairman of BODA, delivered welcome and opening remarks. The moderator was Arram Kim, Head of Olympic Games Impact & Legacy, IOC Corporate and Sustainable Development Department, who also shared the legacy practices of Milano Cortina 2026 on behalf of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee (Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026). Also present at the event were Yu Jianyong, Director of the Marketing Department of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC); Gao Chao, Director of the Communications, Culture, and Heritage Department of the COC; Ewa Magiera, Senior Communications Manager - Sustainability & Legacy at the IOC; Domenico De Maio, Director of Culture and Education at Milano Cortina 2026; and Prof. Franco Ascani, Member of the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission and President of Fédération Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs (FICTS).

(A photo of attendees at the event.)

The event centered on the implementation of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 to advance sustainability, taking the Beijing 2022 post-Games legacy use as a model. The attendees shared experiences and best practices on the preservation and transformation of Olympic legacy. The event creates synergies with the “From Beijing to Milan” cultural exhibition series at the Beijing Olympic Museum. Together, they aim to deepen global understanding of China’s Olympic development and Beijing’s unique charm as the world’s first city to have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics, thereby making China’s voice heard and contributing Chinese wisdom.

Fu Xiaohui stated in his remarks that four years ago, under the guidance of the IOC, Beijing successfully hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics, leaving a rich Olympic legacy. The Games fulfilled the vision of engaging 300 million people in winter sports, making Beijing the world’s first Dual Olympic city. Four years on, Beijing’s Dual Olympic legacy continues to thrive. The Olympic spirit has taken deep root in people’s hearts, and public enthusiasm for winter sports remains stronger than ever. Olympic legacy has been fully integrated into all aspects of city development, serving as a vital catalyst and driving force for sustainable development. Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the successful opening of Milano Cortina 2026 and to jointly explore the profound and lasting impact of Olympic legacy on host cities and their communities. Through in-depth exchanges, we hope to pool wisdom and advance the sustainable development of Olympic legacy.

(Fu Xiaohui delivers remarks.)

Angelita Teo said that the two Olympic Games held in Beijing have left a rich legacy, and the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship are instilled in both Chinese culture and the Olympic Movement itself. Through cooperation with the COC and BODA, the Olympic spirit has been further disseminated across China, and the IOC looks forward to more cooperation in the years ahead.

(Angelita Teo delivers remarks.)

Liu Xinghua, Head of the International Relations Department of the Beijing Olympic City Development Center, shared the practices in carrying forward Dual Olympic legacy. Four years ago, the Beijing 2022 Games were successfully delivered, with numerous legacy initiatives widely recognized by the international community. The vision of engaging 300 million people in ice and snow sports has become a reality, the Olympic spirit has taken deep root in society, the ethos of volunteerism has spread far and wide, and the winter sports industry has experienced rapid growth. Four years on, Beijing’s Dual Olympic legacy continues to generate lasting value. Olympic visions have been integrated into the city’s medium- and long-term development strategies. There is a sustained surge in public enthusiasm for winter sports. All Olympic venues are now open to the public in support of the public fitness initiative. Moreover, societal awareness and commitment to inclusion and support for persons with disabilities have significantly increased. Olympic legacy is thus serving as a sustained catalyst for urban renewal. Liu also highlighted that as a legacy entity, BODA will continue to make the best use of Dual Olympic legacy to advance the public fitness initiative, promote city development, and help make Beijing a model in Olympic legacy use.

(Liu Xinghua delivers a keynote speech.)

A handover ceremony for the renewed “Olympic Park” designation documents was also held during the event. Since the Beijing 2022 Games, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou have vigorously promoted winter sports, developed a robust winter sports industry, and transformed themselves into premier destinations for both ice and snow tourism and year-round travel. The Olympic venues in both areas are now being fully utilized. They not only host high-level winter sports events but also serve the general public for skiing, fitness, and recreational activities. Through diversified operations all year round, these venues have achieved comprehensive and sustainable post-Games use, making Yanqing and Zhangjiakou an international model for Olympic legacy utilization. The renewal of their “Olympic Park” designation by the IOC underscores the high recognition of their post-Games use, securing valuable intangible Olympic assets for their sustainable development.

(The handover ceremony.)

Arram Kim moderated a panel discussion themed “Carrying on Olympic Legacy to Promote Sustainable Development.” Angelita Teo, Domenico De Maio, Prof. Franco Ascani, and Hou Kun exchanged views on the sustainable development of Olympic Games. Then, the attendees together visited China House and the ongoing exhibition.

(Panel Discussion)

It is learned that two exhibitions will be held in Italy, namely, “The Great Olympic Emotions” Exhibition and the “Olympic Winter Games Legacy: The Torch Reignites—From Beijing to Milan” Exhibition. These exhibitions are synchronized with the events being held at the Beijing Olympic Museum. They create synergies with the “Ice and Snow, IT’s Your Vibe—From Beijing to Milan” Olympic Winter Games Carnival, highlighting the interaction between the two Olympic cities and the seamless relay between Beijing 2022 and Milano Cortina 2026. Together, they foster a vibrant Winter Olympic cultural atmosphere across borders.

(“The Great Olympic Emotions” Exhibition.)

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(“Olympic Winter Games Legacy: The Torch Reignites—From Beijing to Milan” Exhibition.)

The event not only showcased Beijing’s achievements as the world’s first Dual Olympic city and its practical innovations in leveraging Dual Olympic legacy, but also promoted exchanges and cooperation in the field of Olympic legacy. It further deepened sports and cultural exchanges between China and Italy, promoting international cooperation in various areas such as ice and snow tourism, the winter sports industry, ice and snow events, and cultural tourism.