ROME, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- With only 70 days to go before the Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia, Greece, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission confirmed on Wednesday that preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have entered the final stage.

The visit marked the last in-person meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission in Italy before the Games, which will open on February 6 at Milan's San Siro Stadium. IOC President Kirsty Coventry, addressing the closing session, highlighted Milano Cortina as a milestone in implementing the Olympic Games' new model, aiming to make the event not only extraordinary for Milan and Cortina, but also for the whole of Italy and the Olympic Movement.

Kristin Kloster, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, praised the progress achieved and stressed the importance of teamwork among institutions, organizers and partners, as preparations move into the crucial delivery phase.

Giovanni Malago, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee, described the session as constructive and said the coming weeks would be decisive in addressing operational and strategic challenges. He extended gratitude to the IOC and all stakeholders for their continuous support.

According to the organizing committee, the Olympic Torch Relay will cover 12,000 kilometers over 63 days, passing through 20 regions, 110 provinces and several UNESCO World Heritage sites, carried by over 10,000 torchbearers. Public enthusiasm is rising, with nearly 800,000 tickets already sold, accounting for more than half of the total available.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 to 15. ■