Kostopoulos has been a long-serving director of Paralympic Games integration at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Last month, he helped launch an accessibility guide to help support host nations in staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the future.

Italian Paralympic Committee President Luca Pancalli has welcomed the appointment of Kostopoulos to Milan Cortina.

"I want to express my congratulations and those of the whole Italian Paralympic Committee to Thanos Kostopoulos who joins the Organising Committee of Milan Cortina in the role of director of Paralympic Games integration and information, knowledge and learning,” Pancalli said.

“Thanos held the position of director of Paralympic Games Integration and Information within the International Paralympic Committee for 12 years with the task of ensuring full accessibility of the venues that hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, favouring the most effective transition between the two sporting events.

“The Milan Cortina team is enriched by the contribution of a very high-profile personality who represents a further element of guarantee for the success of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.

“Therefore, we sincerely thank Thanos for the work done.”

Currently six sports are set to be contested at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

The Games is due to feature Alpine skiing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, ice hockey, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

The 2026 Winter Paralympics are scheduled to take place from March 6 to 15 2026.