On February 8, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games officially unveiled their new mascots: Tina and Milo—a pair of twin weasels.
Tina, the white weasel, is the mascot of the Winter Olympics. Milo, the brown weasel, represents the Winter Paralympics. Tina symbolizes Cortina, and Milo stands for Milan. Their names, “Tina-Cortina” and “Milo-Milano,” are simple, memorable, and rooted in local Italian culture.
The mascots were selected through a national competition that encouraged elementary and middle school students across Italy to submit design proposals. Out of more than 1,600 entries, two finalists were chosen—a pair of weasels and a snowdrop design. The twin weasels ultimately won.
Tina enjoys performances and concerts. Her motto is “Dream big.” Milo is a dreamer and prankster who loves snow and even crafts his own instruments. His motto is “Obstacles are trampolines.”
In response to questions from Xinhua News Agency, the Milan Organizing Committee emphasized that while Tina and Milo are not defined by gender, their personalities are complementary and unique. Their colors—white and brown—also carry symbolism: weasels turn white in winter and brown in summer. These colors represent the importance of nature, reminding us to protect and cherish the environment year-round.
The mascots reflect the Games’ core values of diversity, collaboration, and unity. Milan 2026 is expected to feature 47 percent female athletes, marking one of the most gender-balanced Winter Games in history.
Looking back at past Olympic mascots—from Beijing 2022’s Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon to Tokyo 2020’s robotic duo, and even as far back as the sibling mascots of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics—we see a tradition of mascots rooted in culture, storytelling, and charm.
Whether animal, symbolic, or fantastical, these mascots are more than just figures. They carry meaning, spread joy, and remind us of the universal human spirit shared across the world.
