Milano Cortina 2026 Unveils Stoat Siblings Milo and Tina as Official Mascots
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have introduced their official mascots, Milo and Tina, a pair of stoat siblings. These mascots were unveiled in February 2024, approximately two years before the Milan opening ceremony.
Mascot Overview
Milo and Tina are named after the host cities, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Organizers describe them as the "first openly Gen Z mascots."
They are characterized as cheerful, energetic, determined, and strong-willed teenagers who are eager to assert their role.
Meet the Mascots: Character Descriptions
-
Tina (Olympics Mascot): Cream-colored with a brown-tipped tail, Tina is the Olympics Mascot. She is depicted as creative and grounded, living in the city and enjoying shows and concerts. Her biography highlights a love for exploration and new experiences, with a consistent return to the mountains each winter.
-
Milo (Paralympics Mascot): Milo, the Paralympics Mascot, is brown with a white tummy. He lives in the mountains, enjoys practical jokes, frolicking in the snow, and inventing musical instruments. Milo was born without a paw but learned to walk using his tail, viewing obstacles as opportunities.
The Selection Process
The mascot selection involved Italian schoolchildren. Italy's Ministry of Education invited primary and secondary students to submit ideas, receiving over 1,600 entries.
The public was then polled on two shortlisted concepts: a pair of flowers and the stoat siblings.
Milo and Tina were ultimately selected. They are accompanied by six small snowdrop sidekicks, known as The Flo, which were inspired by the runner-up flower concept.
Symbolism: Why Stoats?
Organizers chose stoats to embody the contemporary Italian spirit guiding the Games, citing their liveliness, agility, and speed. These animals are curious, possess the ability to change their fur color seasonally, and exhibit resilience in challenging mountain habitats.
They are intended to symbolize a future respectful of the environment and differences, promoting sustainability and brightness.
Stoats belong to the mustelid family and are native to Eurasia and North America, found in the Italian Alps. Their year-round black-tipped tails were historically used in royal regalia. They are known for their resourcefulness and ability to take on prey larger than themselves, sometimes employing a unique