Miho Takagi hoists the Japanese flag after winning the bronze medal in the women's 500-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026 in Milan, Italy (©Kyodo)
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics came to a close on February 22 amidst fierce competition. I imagine some of you attended the games in person, while others watched them on television or the Internet.
These Winter Olympics left behind many memories and records. But one of their distinguishing features was how the events were held across four different venues. This made the Games a huge production in geographic terms, with opening ceremonies, including parades, at each venue. As a result, there was a palpable Olympic atmosphere at all four sites.
The opening show's lavish production also garnered considerable attention. Its tasteful blend of opera, history, and culture certainly befitted Italy, a country renowned for its arts. Team Japan carried a Japanese flag and an Italian flag as they paraded at each venue. This touch met with praise from around the world.
Holding Olympic events dispersed this way, across a wider area, reduced the environmental impact by limiting the concentration of events in a single city. Moreover, it also provided an opportunity for more people to experience the Olympics firsthand.
I believe the Milan Cortina Olympics can serve as an excellent model for the future. This format promotes the Olympic movement while ensuring the Games' sustainability. In this format, I am convinced that one day, it might even become possible for multiple countries to co-host the Games.
Revamping the Olympics
The Milan Cortina Games were my first Olympics as the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee headquarters overseeing athlete development and training programs.
Team Japan won a national record-breaking 24 medals ー five gold, seven silver, and 12 bronze ー at these Winter Games. Japanese athletes brilliantly demonstrated the results of their hard work and training.
I visited each venue. And since it was my first Winter Olympic Games, everything I saw was new and exciting for me. Everywhere I went, the competition felt dynamic and fast-paced.
Snow and ice, along with equipment such as skis, snowboards, and skates, help athletes maximize their abilities and turn in aggressive performances. In this sense, the allure of the Winter Olympics is different from that of the Summer Olympics.
Furthermore, I got the distinct impression that the role of equipment is extremely important in winter sports. Everything from the selection and maintenance of the equipment itself to the support systems constitutes an integral part of the competition.
Without a doubt, as the techniques become more advanced and complex and the level of competition rises, judging also becomes more difficult.
For the athletes who dedicate their lives to preparing to compete, the Olympics must continue to maintain their appeal. That requires making adjustments in line with changing times. And, the use of digital technologies such as AI will likely become increasingly important in managing future competition.
Will Summer Sports Like Judo Move to Winter?
The International Olympic Committee General Assembly also held its regular meeting during the Winter Games. Discussions in the meeting included the subject of restructuring the Olympics.
They also revealed that the IOC is considering transferring some summer sports to the Winter Games. In fact, the IOC is eyeing implementation of such a shift as early as the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
Judo is among the sports under consideration for moving. Therefore, I will closely monitor the progress of the discussions with great interest.
Meanwhile, as winter gives way to spring, news is arriving of cherry blossoms in bloom all across Japan.
In Japan's judo world, April is also a month of competitions. This year, too, there are a number of top tournaments lined up. I hope you'll join me in looking forward to seeing what kind of matches we'll get to watch.
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- Kosei Inoue: The Power of Sports Heads to the Milan Cortina Olympics
(Read this column in Japanese.)
