- Utah, France and Italy signed an agreement for future Olympic cooperation on Friday.
- The agreement focuses on sustainability research and long-term Olympic legacy collaboration.
- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox emphasized the historic cooperation among the Olympic host regions.
MILAN — While much of the world's attention in Milan is focused on the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, leaders from three Olympic regions were already looking ahead to the future.
Representatives from Utah, France and Italy signed a memorandum of agreement Friday aimed at sharing expertise and working together on sustainability, research and long-term Olympic legacy.
The agreement brings together organizers from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, the 2030 French Alps Games and Utah's 2034 Winter Olympics.
It also includes a partnership between the University of Utah and the University of Côte d'Azur in France.
Under the agreement, students and researchers will collaborate on projects involving air quality, emissions, injury prevention and environmental protection.
Officials said the goal is to make future Olympic and Paralympic Games more sustainable before, during and after competition.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said the partnership represents a historic level of cooperation among Olympic host regions.
"The three of us really cooperating, not just on the Games and the way the Games will be played, but on the legacy and what will be left behind," said Cox. "And it's the first time in history that three regions of the world have worked together on Olympic Games, and we think that's very important."
Cox said the agreement is also intended to strengthen international relationships.
"We think it's good for relationships between Europe and the United States and, of course, between our regions as well," he said.
Leaders from all three regions said the focus extends beyond sports and competition.
They said cooperation in science, research and public policy can help improve the quality of life in mountain communities and protect natural environments.
Cox said the partnership shows how regional governments can continue working together even when national politics may be complicated.
He also pointed to Utah's experience hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics as a model for long-term planning and community benefit.
Venues built for the Salt Lake City Games continue to be used more than two decades later, helping drive tourism, youth sports and economic development.
Officials in Italy and France said they are interested in applying similar approaches as they prepare for their upcoming Games.
As Milan hosts the 2026 Winter Olympics, leaders said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to learning from one another and building a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the closing ceremonies.
