The Dompé Foundation Archive holds a rich heritage of stories, biographical traces, documents, and historical materials that still fuel a vibrant memory today. 

A key example is the story of the founder of Dompé farmaceutici, Franco Dompé, and his relationship with Cortina d’Ampezzo. 

Passionate about sports from a young age, during his university years Franco participated in rowing, swimming, athletics, and rugby competitions. However, it was in 1936, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, that he discovered his true passion: bobsledding. At the time, this winter sport was practiced exclusively in Northern Europe. Today, however, it stands as one of the main disciplines of the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics.

Dr. Franco Dompé in Cortina during bobsleigh competitions (1950s)

A pioneer of bobsledding in Italy, Franco continued to engage in the sport even after a severe accident in 1937, which led to a long hospital stay. This event, however, would mark a turning point in his life, sparking the dream of founding a company dedicated to the well-being of people. So, in 1940, at 29 and during World War II, he founded Dompé farmaceutici. 

Dr. Dompé Franco, Bob Club Cortina Membership Card (1952)

After the war, Franco became a member of the Bob Club Cortina and, in 1950, competed with the Italian National Team at the World Championships in Cortina, placing 6th. Two years later, at 41, he reached the peak of his sporting career by competing in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. 

In 1956, in a very different capacity, Franco returned to the Olympics, this time organizing the pharmaceutical services for the event held in Cortina d’Ampezzo. With 28 vans bearing the company’s logo, the operational teams efficiently assisted the athletes across various ski areas, equipped with Dompé first aid backpacks. 

The experience of providing pharmaceutical transportation services was documented in the short film Operazione S.O.S., which tells the story of "the impressive organization of Medical-Pharmaceutical Services to ensure perfect assistance to athletes from all over the world." The film was presented at the Sestriere Sports Medicine Congress and to Milanese doctors during a dedicated morning screening. 

Bellezza d'Italia, n. 2, 1956

From that moment on, sports became a hallmark of Dompé’s brand identity, appearing in many advertisements in Bellezza d’Italia, the magazine founded by Franco Dompé in 1947 for the medical community, and led by the renowned designer Franco Grignani. 

Seventy years after the 1956 Olympics, the world is once again preparing to celebrate the Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo. A global sporting event that embodies values such as excellence, discipline, respect, collaboration, and inclusion: principles that inspired the life of Franco Dompé and are now fully embraced by the foundation established by his son, Sergio Dompé.