Not surprisingly for a man who brings a very distinct flair to Alpine skiing, Brazilian slalom specialist Lucas Pinheiro Braathen idolises Italian great Alberto Tomba.

Italy’s most famous Olympic playboy is expected to be back centre stage on Friday, with his role as final torchbearer in the opening ceremony at the San Siro heavily rumoured in the same newspaper pages that once forensically dissected his love life.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opened with a historic first as Olympic cauldrons were lit in both Milan and Cortina. See the moment the cauldron in Milan was lit

Among the most talked-about names is legendary ski champion Alberto Tomba, who recently attended the inauguration of Casa Italia at Triennale in Milan. However, Tomba artfully dodged the media's probing questions about his potential role,

While the 2026 Winter Olympics started Wednesday, the Opening Ceremony took place Friday in Italy. The U.S. flag bearers were speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca. Jackson, 33, is a three-time Olympian and the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 500 meters.

Alberto Tomba has united generations, drawing them towards skiing with his overwhelming charisma. He defined an era and became an icon of Italian sport with Olympic and World golds, World Cups, even the Sanremo Festival paused for him. Surrounded by a ...

Alberto Tomba, who turns 60 later this year, still has the twinkle that makes you think he would knock back the Aperols quicker than he tackled the slopes.