LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CHATNEWSTV) — The International Olympic Committee on Thursday elected Dolomiti Valtellina in the Italian Alps as host of the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games, further cementing Italy’s role as a global winter sports destination.
The decision, made during the IOC’s 143rd Session, follows a presentation by Italian Olympic officials and regional leaders. The games will utilize existing venues across three clusters—Valtellina, Trentino and Cortina—many of which will be used for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
IOC President Thomas Bach said the selection reflects confidence in Italy’s ability to deliver “world-class, exceptional winter sports events.”
“The Olympic Movement and the host regions are already excited about Milano Cortina 2026,” Bach said. “Today’s news means that excitement will extend until the end of the decade, and the benefits for local communities will continue.”
Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will be the fifth edition of the Winter Youth Olympics, scheduled from Jan. 15 to 29. The event will feature all seven Olympic winter sports: biathlon, bobsled, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing.
Italian Minister of Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi said Italy is prepared to deliver an event that will be “a spectacular sporting occasion” and a catalyst for youth engagement in sports.
“We aim to inspire the younger generations to embrace the value of sport as a tool for inclusion and social cohesion,” Abodi said. “A universal language capable of uniting cultures and nations.”
The event will incorporate several legacy programs initiated for Milano Cortina 2026, including sports infrastructure investments and educational initiatives. Karl Stoss, chair of the IOC’s Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, emphasized that Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 aligns with the IOC’s long-term vision.
“The Commission found that the vision for the Youth Olympic Games is fully aligned with long-term regional plans, youth, sports and education policies, and the goals of Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5,” Stoss said.
Seven of the 11 proposed competition venues will carry over from Milano Cortina 2026, including the Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre in Bormio, Livigno Snow Park for freestyle and snowboarding, and the Cortina Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge. No athlete will stay more than an hour from their competition venue, organizers said, with most sites within a 15-minute radius of their village.
“This is a historic day for Italian sport,” said Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian Olympic Committee. “Building on the remarkable legacy of Milano Cortina 2026, Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will inspire the next generation and set new benchmarks for global events.”
The IOC members voted overwhelmingly in favor of Dolomiti Valtellina’s bid, with 89 in favor and just one against, with two abstentions.
