Italian Volleyball Teams to Shine at Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony
The upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics will feature a special tribute to the Italian volleyball teams. Both the men’s and women’s national teams will be celebrated during the Opening Ceremony for their remarkable achievements in 2025.
Significant Achievements
The Italian women’s team, guided by coach Julio Velasco, achieved significant milestones in 2025. They triumphed in the Volleyball Nations League and secured the World Championship title, marking their second World Championship win in history. This victory came just a year after their unforgettable gold medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Historic Titles
The Italian women’s team has made history by becoming the first in their category to hold both the Olympic and World Championship titles simultaneously since Cuba did in 2002.
- Olympic Title: Paris 2024
- World Championship Title: 2025, second title overall
Meanwhile, the Italian men’s volleyball team also shone brightly. They won their second consecutive World Championship, defeating Bulgaria 3-1 in the finals held in Manila. This victory further solidified their status as a dominant force in volleyball.
Milestone Achievements
- World Championship Wins: Five total
- Last Championship Title: Manila, 2025
The men’s team’s achievement puts them just one title behind the former Soviet Union, which holds the record for the most World Championships.
Ceremony Highlights
Monica De Gennaro, a four-time Olympian and gold medalist from the Paris 2024 Games, will notably contribute to the Opening Ceremony. Celebrated as a symbol of Italian volleyball, she is set to be the torchbearer in Bassano del Grappa, located in Veneto.
With these remarkable achievements, the Italian volleyball teams will undoubtedly shine at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics, showcasing the unifying power of sports.
