Milan Churches Teach Olympic Values to Thousands of Kids During Winter Games

The 'Tour of Sports Values' initiative aims to promote excellence, friendship and respect through workshops, exhibitions and sports activities.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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As the 2026 Winter Olympics take place in Milan, the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan is leading the 'Tour of Sports Values' initiative to engage thousands of young people from schools, parish youth centers and sports clubs. The program features workshops, exhibitions, athlete testimonies and sports activities to promote Olympic values like excellence, friendship and respect. The activities are hosted in oratories, parish spaces where children and teenagers gather after school for sports and recreational activities.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to connect the Olympic spirit with daily life, using familiar church spaces to teach young people about the ethical principles behind sports, such as cooperation, respect, solidarity and inclusion. By involving athletes, coaches and community organizations, the program aims to show how sports can be a vehicle for personal growth and positive values, beyond just elite performance.

The details

The Tour of Sports Values kicked off on February 9th at the Church of Sant'Antonio in Milan. Dozens of children met basketball player Giordano Bortolani, who spoke about how becoming a professional athlete allowed him to share his experiences and the values of sport with young people. The program also featured graphic designs created by high school students that interpreted Olympic-inspired principles. Organizers say the initiative will reach about 13,000 young people across the Milan archdiocese through February 20th.

  • The Tour of Sports Values kicked off on February 9, 2026.
  • The program will run through February 20, 2026.

The players

Valentina Piazza

Project manager for CSI for the World, which operates outside Italy to provide sports programs to children in developing countries.

Archbishop Mario Delpini

The Archbishop of Milan who has drawn on Olympic values in recent years as part of preparations for the 2026 Winter Games.

Giordano Bortolani

A basketball player who came up through the youth system of Olimpia Milano and has played in Italy's top and second divisions.

Matilde Napoli

The deputy head of a school whose students created graphic designs for the initiative.

Massimo Aquino

The president of CSI, an organization that is helping bring faith and sports together with youths through the program.

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What they’re saying

“This is not about changing lives through elite performance. It's about how sport helps young people learn from being together.”

— Valentina Piazza, Project manager, CSI for the World (cruxnow.com)

“With the Winter Olympics happening here in Milan, it's all about Olympic values. The values of sport, and of life as well.”

— Giordano Bortolani, Basketball player (cruxnow.com)

“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.”

— Matilde Napoli, Deputy head of school (cruxnow.com)

“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.”

— Massimo Aquino, President, CSI (cruxnow.com)

What’s next

The Tour of Sports Values program will continue through February 20th, engaging thousands of young people across the Milan archdiocese in workshops, exhibitions and sports activities focused on Olympic values.

The takeaway

By connecting the Olympic spirit with everyday life in parish spaces, the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan is using the 2026 Winter Games as an opportunity to teach young people about the ethical principles behind sports, such as cooperation, respect, and inclusion. This initiative shows how sports can be a powerful tool for personal growth and community building, beyond just elite athletic performance.