MILAN — In a historic collaboration that promises to reshape the landscape of future Winter Olympic Games, Utah Governor Spencer Cox joined leaders from Italy and France on Friday to launch a significant cooperation agreement. This partnership connects the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026, the French Alps’ 2030 Games, and Utah’s 2034 Games, marking the first time that three Olympic host regions have united to share resources and best practices in planning, sustainability, and creating a lasting legacy. The event took place at the headquarters of Lombardy, where regional leaders highlighted the importance of this unprecedented alliance. The cooperative initiative aims to foster an environment where the three regions can share insights about what works and what doesn’t as they prepare for their respective Olympic events, addressing critical areas like sustainability, infrastructure, and public health. Governor Cox emphasized that lessons learned from the immediate challenges faced by the Milano Cortina and French Alps Games will inform the planning for Utah’s 2034 Olympics. Lombardy President Attilio Fontana explained that the planning for the 2026 Games has notably diverged from traditional Olympic models. Instead of constructing new venues that may become underutilized post-Games, Lombardy’s approach focuses on enhancing existing infrastructure to ensure long-term community benefits. “We didn’t build new facilities,” Fontana stated, noting that the Olympic Village will transition to student housing and that public investments have largely gone toward improving railways and roads—projects that the community had long needed. “The Olympic Games acted as an accelerator for works long overdue,” he added, underlining the true legacy of the event. Raffaele Cattaneo, Lombardy’s undersecretary for international relations, elaborated on the vision behind the partnership, describing it as a bridge linking three Olympic cycles across two continents. He emphasized that the cooperation is rooted in principles of sustainability, inclusion, and collaboration. The planning decisions in Italy, he noted, have considered environmental, social, and economic impacts as interconnected factors. With a strong commitment to the Paralympic Games, participation is expected to increase by 20%, further solidifying the event’s inclusive nature. “Building lasting relationships is key,” Cattaneo remarked, expressing optimism that the partnership could expand into other sectors such as academia and the economy. He underscored the importance of collaboration, especially in a world often marked by conflict. “At a local level, we are demonstrating that it’s essential to work together to build bridges rather than erect walls,” he asserted. Jeanick Brisswalter, president of Université Côte d’Azur, described the Games as “laboratories for innovation,” highlighting the role of research in shaping public policy before, during, and after the competitions. Through collaboration with the University of Utah, researchers will focus on critical issues like air quality at venues, injury prevention for athletes, water management, emissions reduction, and the links between nutrition and immunity. The establishment of a shared data platform will facilitate evidence-based policy decisions, with future studies potentially exploring mental health, transportation, security, and post-Olympic legacy. Cox articulated a vision that transcends mere event success. “We hope to make those thousands of decisions better than they’ve ever been made before,” he said, adding, “We want this Olympics to be the best Olympics in the history of the world.” He pledged Utah’s resources and commitment to ensuring the success of the upcoming Games. Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Cox noted that it represents a pivotal moment for international relations, reinforcing the idea that partnerships can flourish despite political tensions at the national level. “This agreement cements the idea that we can work together and find common ground,” he explained. “Even as we reflect on our successful Olympics in 2002, we can still glean insights from our partners to enhance our future events.” As the three regions embark on this cooperative journey, the emphasis on sustainability and shared legacy positions them as leaders in a changing Olympic landscape, setting a precedent for future host cities around the world. The partnership not only aims to elevate the standard of Olympic events but also aspires to create enduring benefits for the communities involved, ultimately redefining what it means to host the Olympic Games in the 21st century.