The charge of volunteers for the 2026 Olympics begins and comes the affectionate embrace of Jannik Sinner, new Ambassador of the ‘Team26’ program of Milan-Cortina and face of the communication campaign ‘The Games are us’: “Without them the Games do not exist event, even in tennis. For them we are idols and important ideas for their growth, and it is right to make them understand that their work is important.”
Those of the tennis number one are not just words but a gratitude given by example: everyone remembers the image of Sinner holding the umbrella to the young ball girl in the rain of Indian Wells. “The choice of Sinner is logical – highlights Giovanni Malagò, president of Coni and the Milan-Cortina Foundation -. He is a person who has reached the top of the world, from our country. We are all proud that he is Italian. Sinner is a figure who it certainly gives the idea of ​​willpower, unity, enthusiasm, all those that are the characteristics of volunteers”.
Around 18 thousand volunteers are expected for the event and from today applications can be submitted online, only on the website milanocortina2026.org: the only requirements are to be 18 years old by November 1, 2025, know Italian and/or English, participate in selection and training events, and guarantee a minimum availability of nine non-consecutive days during the Games. “This project has a dual nature – underlines the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi -: on the one hand it becomes a messenger of the values ​​of sport, on the other, it becomes a living representation of the passion and enthusiasm with which Italians they will welcome the whole world with open arms.” Volunteers will be involved in the venues of the competitions and in all official sites, such as, for example, the Athletes’ Villages, the Main Media Centre, railway stations and airports.
“The Olympics – Sinner remarks – were the biggest goal for me this year but unfortunately I wasn’t able to go. But they remain the most important event for every athlete”. Sinner, a promising skier in the past, does not hide his desire to participate in some way: “Am I the torchbearer for Milan-Cortina 2026? I would like to but these are questions we cannot answer yet. Sport has given me so much, the I haven’t received the adrenaline that skiing has given me yet from other things. I have a great connection with winter. I would like to see the giant, the downhill but only from the outside because, when I skied, I was afraid of it.” So much so that he refuses the joking invitation to lead the way on the Stelvio.
