Since the online poll was launched on February 8, Milan Cortina 2026 has been asking members of the public to pick their favourite proposal from two shortlisted drawings that were selected from the nationwide school initiative.

This information will inspire the final official mascot designs, which will be revealed at a later date.

Young students were encouraged to use their imagination and express their creative talents by submitting design proposals for two characters they felt would best represent the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The initiative has inspired substantial engagement, with over 1,600 design ideas received from nearly 700 classes across Italy.

It was seen as an opportunity to encourage teachers and students in Italy to get involved in the Games and to promote Olympic and Paralympic values inside and outside the classroom.

A committee of experts then helped decide on the shortlisted duo, and the public can now give their preference via the online poll that can be accessed at www.milanocortina2026.olympics.com

The first of the shortlisted designs feature two flowers - an edelweiss and a snowdrop on their journey from the mountains to the city - and the second involves two two super-sporty twin stoats who set off for the Winter Games with the idea of competing.

The stoats were drawn by students from Taverna, in the southern region of Calabria, while the flowers were created in a middle school in Segrate, near Milan.

Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milan Cortina 2026 Organising Committee, said he has been "deeply moved" by the enthusiasm students have displayed towards the initiative, which has only strengthened the strong link between sport and education.

"I’ve been absolutely thrilled to see so many imaginative and thoughtful design proposals come in from our young students, and the widespread engagement the project has provoked," said Malagò.

"Milano Cortina 2026 will make Italy fall in love with the Games, and the world fall in love with Italy.

"This initiative has only added to the shared excitement we all feel in the build-up to the Games, and we can’t wait to unveil our mascots."