THE ITALIAN LEGACY OF MILANO CORTINA 2026
Olesya Zaglada took part virtually in the conference organized by the Centre International d’Etude du Sport (CIES) in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
Event link: https://www.sdabocconi.it/en/school-events/the-italian-legacy-of-milano-cortina-2026–celebrating-the-25th-anniversary-of-fifa-master-at-sda-bocconi-20250304
Following Rome 1960 and Turin 2006, Italy will host the Olympic Games for the third time with the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. This iconic event is expected to create both tangible and intangible impacts, leaving a lasting legacy on the nation’s culture and economy.
Giovanni Malagò, President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, President of CONI, and IOC Member, said:
“Italy is finally coming together as a team and, like any great team, we share a single mission — to deliver pioneering Games inspired by a new vibrant and dynamic Italian spirit, offering precious opportunities to young generations through sport.”
He emphasized that the true legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games lies not only in medals, but also in the dreams they inspire.
Italian Paralympic superstar Beatrice Maria Vio, widely known as Bebe Vio Bebe Vio – Se sembra impossibile, allora si può fare!, also participated in the conference on her birthday. A three-time Paralympian and six-time Paralympic medalist, she embodies the spirit of sport as a source of joy and strength. Her motto, “Se sembra impossibile, allora si può fare!” (“If it seems impossible, then it can be done!”), continues to inspire millions. Italian Ambassador with a determination like no other | Sport
Bebe shared that when she began her Paralympic career, she was inspired by Italy’s Paralympic tradition — and now her inspiration comes from the younger generation. She said that the most rewarding part of her career is when children approach her at the gym and say they started practicing sports after seeing her on television. For her, this is the true reason she loves sport.
The Paralympic movement in Italy actively promotes a culture of disability awareness and inclusion. Bebe, who has competed in Rio, Tokyo and Paris, believes that the Italian Games will be the next milestone in the global Paralympic movement.
She emphasized the unique spirit of the Italian people and their warmth, noting that for many athletes the dream of competing at the Paralympics “at home” will soon become reality. According to her, Milano Cortina can introduce a fresh perspective and bring more art and creativity into the Games.
Fifteen years ago, her dream was to see people with and without disabilities training together in gyms across Italy — something that was not common at the time. Today, she works to make this vision a reality through the Academy – Bebe Vio in Milan and Rome. The Academy brings together children aged 6 to 18 to practice Olympic and Paralympic sports side by side. They learn inclusion not as theory, but as everyday experience — playing, growing and progressing together.
A key advantage of the Academy is that it is completely free, giving children the opportunity to begin their sports journey without barriers.
The Bebe Vio Academy, created in partnership with Nike, is an inclusive program dedicated to promoting Paralympic sport and advancing Bebe’s vision: making sport accessible to all.
On the Academy website, Bebe says:
“I would like to make the Paralympic movement grow in Italy. My dream is that within eight years it will reach the same level as the Olympic movement. This will require cultural momentum, a change of mentality and a lot of energy, which will come mainly from children.”
PSF is looking forward to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games!
(Picture from Wikipedia)