MILAN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday praised preparations for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, calling the Olympic Village and Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena "impressive legacies" for the host city and country.

During a tour of key venues with the IOC Executive Board, Coventry described the Olympic Village - which will host around 1,700 athletes during the Games - as "stunning," joking that it made her want to become a winter athlete. The swimming champion from Zimbabwe also highlighted rapid progress at the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, which will later serve as a major sports and entertainment hub in Milan.

The IOC delegation was welcomed by Milan-Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee President and IOC Member Giovanni Malago, CEO Andrea Varnier, and Italian Olympic stars Federica Pellegrini, Valentina Marchei and Marta Pagnini.

Malago said the Olympic Village and arena will leave a lasting legacy. After the Games, the village will be transformed into student housing and affordable apartments, surrounded by a new community hub with shops, cafes, restaurants and public spaces.

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Games, which begin Feb. 6, 2026, will feature six Olympic villages in Milan, Cortina, Predazzo, Bormio, Livigno and Anterselva.

The Games will maximize use of existing venues to reduce the overall carbon footprint, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms. About 2,900 athletes from more than 90 countries and regions are expected to participate.  ■