What’s the volunteer experience like?
Volunteers Focus
Official Highlights
UPDATE: Updated with accurate figures for the number of volunteers who applied for the programme and for the number of tickets sold on Saturday. The wrong figures were said in the translation in the room and online.
MILAN - Comments from IOC Spokesperson Mark ADAMS (GBR), Milano Cortina 2026 Chief Strategy Planning and Legacy Officer Diana BIANCHEDI (ITA), Milano Cortina 2026 Head of Volunteers Programme Irene MARCATTO (ITA), Milano Cortina 2026 volunteer Giulia RESTELLI (ITA), and Milano Cortina 2026 Games Operations Communications Director Luca CASASSA (ITA) at a press conference at the Main Press Centre on Sunday.
Mark ADAMS - IOC Spokesperson
On a Berlin 1936 Olympic Summer Games T-shirt being available on the online Olympic store:
"We can't rewrite history. The 1936 Games happened, and we hold up what Jesse OWENS (USA) and other athletes did as part of the Olympic spirit.
"The technical answer is the validity of those trademarks depends on our usage of them. If we stop using them, others could potentially misuse them, so we produce a small number."
On reports of unsolicited filming of Canada curlers by the Sweden team:
"I have not heard that. If they want to make a complaint, they should go to the federation (World Curling) and we will take it from there."
On the IOC's approach to volunteers:
"A lot of the IOC members are tremendously active and working very hard in their roles. And a large proportion are Olympians.
"There are a lot of people doing a lot of work. The IOC members and even the President (Kirsty COVENTRY, ZIM) are volunteers. The IOC is a not-for-profit organisation. We always say 90%, but in one way or the other, all the other money we make goes back into sport - 10% is (used) for administration.
"We contribute 4.7 million (US) dollars every day back into the sporting world. I know people groan when we remind them of this, but that is what a not-for-profit organisation is all about.
"The volunteers make the Games. Yes, you could pay people for that, but it gives a whole different atmosphere. I find it amazing (the IOC's volunteer programme), and our volunteers get something out of it as well.
"As for the members, we can always look at new ways to involve them, but the vast majority already have roles."
On viewing figures across Europe of the Games:
"France TV has had 43 million viewers watch at least a minute of coverage, while on the BBC more than 20 million viewers have tuned in. The numbers continue to be very strong."
On reports of stadium announcers mentioning Olympic Games sponsor Coca-Cola:
"There is no advertising on the field of play, and it is another thing people really appreciate between the Olympic Games and other events. We have been working for some time to find ways we can work with our top partners, who provide so much support for us.
"We have been looking at ways to allow them to get some recognition in venues and elsewhere without crossing the line and changing the nature of Games."
Diana BIANCHEDI - Milano Cortina 2026 Chief Strategy Planning and Legacy Officer
On volunteers at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games:
"We had one wish, to be able to share the role of what being a volunteer is like for people who have never experienced the Olympic Games.
"Once the aeroplane door opens up, the athletes see a volunteer first, and the warmth they bring is important. They accompany athletes right before their races or events.
"This person can give you that self-belief and courage, and they can break the tension by smiling at you. I have seen countless volunteers also helping athletes or their families and sharing in the joy, or even comforting them.
"More than 130,000 people from all over the world tried to access the volunteer scheme. It has been a long journey. The volunteers come from all over the world. They actually represent more countries than the athletes.
"We had almost 20,000 people to train on topics such as inclusion, health and safety and respect. And we didn't want to disappoint those who didn't make the Games, so we created a parallel scheme.
"We involved our so-called excluded volunteers by offering them webinars put on by our (affiliated) universities, as well as involving them in future events. We didn't want to ignore their passion or dedication."
Irene MARCATTO - Milano Cortina 2026 Head of Volunteers Programme
On the selection process for volunteers:
"We selected around 18,000 volunteers. This is a big figure. This journey started in September 2024, and we had 10,000 applications in the first 48 hours.
"We looked for people who could speak the language and were available and gripped by the enthusiasm of being part of this event.
"We carried out 35,000 interviews, some face to face and some online. Two thousand travelled (from outside of Italy) to be part of these Games. It is a varied and diverse team."
Giulia RESTELLI - Milano Cortina 2026 Volunteer
On being a volunteer at the Games:
"I wanted to volunteer because of my enthusiasm for the Games. As a kid, I had strong feelings watching the Olympics and when I knew my country was going to host the Games, it was a chance to be seized.
"I applied immediately. This is a unique opportunity to connect and meet people."
Luca CASASSA - Milano Cortina 2026 Games Operations Communications Director
On ticket sales on Saturday:
"Yesterday, 113,000 tickets were sold. This is a positive trend."
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