An Olympics for two: Giacomo recounts his first Games, a time of volunteering and shared emotions
There’s something special about experiencing an event like the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics as a couple. For Giacomo Bernardi, 34, the magic of the Games is also felt through the presence of his partner Marta, with whom he shares shifts, emotions, and days as a Team26 volunteer. “Sharing this experience with my girlfriend is incredibly emotional,” he says. We’re in the same venue, we work together, and we support each other.Between sport and the desire to be thereGiacomo is originally from Cittadella, a small medieval town in the province of Padua, but Milano has been his home for the past 10 years after moving there for work.Sport has always been a great passion of his: "I've tried everything – swimming, tennis, basketball – but skiing has been my constant winter companion since I was three," he says. "I enjoy discovering sports, watching them, and understanding them. Watching competitions on TV and in person, seeing champions perform at their highest level".When Milano was awarded the Games, it was an irresistible call for Giacomo. "Hosting the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in my city is a unique opportunity. I immediately wanted to be part of it. For him, volunteering means "contributing to a global event that unites people and promotes values of equality, peace, and friendship." And then there's Marta, the perfect travel companion: "Sharing it with her makes everything even more special."However, the real reason he applied goes back a long way. *"Torino 2006 is still vivid in my memory, as if only a few days had passed. I was fifteen, but I remember the atmosphere, the city, and the people: everyone was welcoming, smiling, and enthusiastic. It was a very emotional experience, shared with my family".*Wearing the volunteer uniform makes me proud.Today, Giacomo volunteers at the Assago venue, the Milano Ice Skating Arena. "I manage other volunteers to ensure spectators enter smoothly, manage queues in the shops, and help them find their seats. A responsibility he embraces with enthusiasm and pride. Wearing the volunteer uniform makes me proud. I believe we embody the Olympic and Paralympic spirit for our spectators: welcoming, inclusive, and sharing".Meanwhile, Milano is experiencing a unique moment. "When such large events take place, the city comes alive in every corner. It’s wonderful to see so many initiatives happening in the neighbourhoods and squares. Everywhere speaks of the Games. And then there’s the encounter with the world: “People coming from all over, eager to cheer on their athletes. It's a continuous cultural exchange".Ultimately, what Giacomo will remember from these Games are the stories of the people who shared them with him. "Experiencing the Olympics as a volunteer makes everything even more beautiful. You meet many other volunteers on their way to their venues. Seeing the uniform fill the metro, trains, buses, and streets… it makes us all feel like friends.
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