Milan’s Archdiocese Integrates Olympic Values into Community Life

Milan’s Catholic leaders have actively embraced the opportunity presented by the city’s selection as the host for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Rather than waiting for the event to unfold, they have initiated efforts to incorporate Olympic values into pastoral work, particularly focusing on youth engagement. This initiative is encapsulated in the Ora Sport on Fire Tour, which aims to promote the principles of the Olympic movement in local communities.

In a letter announcing the program, Archbishop Mario Delpini expressed the belief that the Olympics represent a significant educational opportunity. He emphasized that the Games can foster relationships built on mutual respect and competition. The Ora Sport on Fire Tour has been in operation since late 2022, with a series of activities planned during the Olympic Games to further engage young people.

The initiative is rooted in the Catholic tradition of Italy and operates primarily within parish youth centers and schools across the Milan archdiocese. Developed by the archdiocese’s sports and youth outreach offices in collaboration with its school pastoral services, the program seeks to highlight the inclusive and social aspects of sport. According to Rev. Stefano Guidi, who oversees the archdiocese’s Service for Oratories and Sport, the goal is to instill values that will help youth thrive in the community.

To frame their efforts, the archdiocese studied the Olympic Charter, the foundational document of the Olympic movement. This study allowed them to align the project with the cultural values that the Olympics represent. Through various sporting events, contests, and workshops, themes such as human rights and peace are promoted in settings like Christian-inspired schools and oratories. These spaces are transformed to accommodate afterschool activities, including sports and catechism classes.

One of the engaging elements of the program has been encounters between religious leaders, athletes, and young people. During one of the early events, Paralympic swimmer Arianna Talamona addressed students, sharing insights about the responsibilities that come with being an athlete. She encouraged young people to be patient and to clearly understand their passions. “If they have dreams and passions, it’s important to cultivate them,” Talamona stated during an event streamed across the archdiocese’s channels.

A unique aspect of the Ora Sport on Fire Tour is its own symbolic Olympic torch. This torch serves as a means to spread the spirit of the Games across participating institutions. It has traveled throughout the diocese, with each pastoral zone welcoming it for gatherings, prayers, and discussions centered around Olympic values.

In towns like Tradate, children and adolescents have actively participated in transporting the torch, reflecting on its significance. In other communities, such as Gallarate, sports activities have focused on inclusion, teaching youths to recognize and respect differences and diverse abilities. This inclusive approach has been a hallmark of the program since its inception.

As the third year of the Ora Sport on Fire Tour launches, Paralympic swimmer Alberto Amodeo graced a diocesan sports gathering in Abbiategrasso. He reflected on his experiences at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, highlighting how the Games unite athletes from various backgrounds. “These are beautiful results that will remain forever in my heart,” Amodeo remarked.

The initiatives associated with the tour vary from one deanery to another. Some have hosted sports-themed plays led by professional theater companies, while others organized film forums or large-scale sports events, all aligned with the upcoming Olympics. Notably, sports have been an integral part of the archdiocese’s outreach to youth even prior to the selection of Italy as the Winter Games host.

According to Rev. Guidi, there are approximately 1,000 oratories within the Milan diocese, nearly all of which maintain sports clubs that engage young people in various activities. Many of these clubs have rich histories, some extending over 100 years. For numerous children, adolescents, and families, these oratories provide their sole opportunity to engage in sports.

Most activities are offered at low costs, largely due to the dedication of volunteers. Throughout the sports-related programs in the diocese, three key aspects emerge: the development of physical abilities, the promotion of socialization, and fostering respect for opponents. Rev. Guidi summarized this philosophy, stating, “It therefore proposes a kind of growth that has the meaning of constant training of oneself and of one’s relationships, and the possibility of learning from one’s mistakes.”

The Ora Sport on Fire Tour not only aims to engage young people in sports but also seeks to instill the values of the Olympic movement into their lives, preparing them to become responsible and inclusive members of the community as the world turns its attention to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics.