Milan Churches Become Classrooms for Olympic Values During Winter Games
While the world's elite athletes compete for gold on the Olympic podiums of the 2026 Winter Games, a quieter but profound competition is unfolding within the historic churches of Milan. Here, thousands of children are being crowned champions of character, learning that the true victory lies in embracing the core principles of sport.
The Tour of Sports Values Initiative
Spearheaded by the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan, the "Tour of Sports Values" is a comprehensive program running parallel to the Winter Olympics. It aims to involve approximately 13,000 young people from schools, parish youth centres, and local sports clubs across the archdiocese until February 20th. The initiative transcends mere athletic performance, focusing instead on how sport serves as a powerful vehicle for ethical development.
"This is not about changing lives through elite performance," explained Valentina Piazza, project manager for CSI for the World, an organisation involved in the program. "It's about how sport helps young people learn from being together." The program is anchored by a series of letters from Milan's Archbishop, Mario Delpini, who has emphasised these values in the lead-up to the Games.
From Podiums to Parish Benches
The tour officially commenced on February 10th at the Church of Sant'Antonio, near Milan's iconic Duomo. Dozens of children gathered on the benches of the 16th-century church, not for a sermon, but for an encounter with professional basketball player Giordano Bortolani. A product of Olimpia Milano's youth system, Bortolani shared his journey and the lessons sport has taught him.
"With the Winter Olympics happening here in Milan, it's all about Olympic values," Bortolani stated. "The values of sport, and of life as well." The church setting was adorned with banners featuring graphic designs by final-year high school students, creatively interpreting Olympic principles and linking them to the Milan Cortina Games.
Matilde Napoli, deputy head of a participating school, elaborated on the educational goal: "The idea is to rethink sport not only as competition or performance, but also as a vehicle for ethical principles such as cooperation, respect, solidarity and inclusion."
Oratories: The Heart of Community Sport
The program unfolds significantly within Milan's network of oratories—parish spaces where children and teenagers traditionally gather after school for sports and recreational activities. Coordinated by the Foundation of Milan's Oratories (FOM), these everyday settings are being transformed into hubs connecting the Olympic spirit with daily life.
"Oratories are places where young people can come together," said Napoli. "They offer opportunities for social interaction through sports, recreational and leisure activities." The archdiocese oversees nearly 1,000 such spaces, which have long been incubators for both sporting talent and personal values.
Massimo Aquino, president of CSI, highlighted this legacy: "The most beautiful thing is that, for generations, Italians have grown up learning the values of life in oratories, chasing after a ball. From this experience of sport born in oratories, many champions have emerged and grown." He cited celebrated athletes like canoeist Antonio Rossi and sprinter Filippo Tortu as products of this environment.
Where Champions Begin Their Journey
Giordano Bortolani's own story embodies this connection. His first encounter with sport was at age five in an oratory. "Church was part of it," he recalled. "Sometimes, between training sessions, they would take us to pray." Now a professional athlete, he returns to these spaces to inspire the next generation.
"There is a beauty in sport itself, but sometimes a young person may be interested in hearing the point of view of an athlete," Bortolani reflected. "That's how it was for me when I was younger." Through workshops, exhibitions, athlete testimonies, and practical sports activities, the Tour of Sports Values ensures that the 2026 Winter Olympics leave a lasting legacy far beyond the medal count, instilling the ideals of excellence, friendship, and respect in the hearts of Milan's youth.
