At Milan’s main international airport, hundreds of tourists wait for their suitcases around the baggage claim.
Among the visitors, a group wearing red printed uniforms attracts attention. I pass by them and it’s easy to recognize: part of the Canadian delegation has just arrived. I walk a few meters towards the exit and smiling volunteers welcome me. At the entrance to the train station that takes me to the city center, there is a screen showing striking images from the Paris 2024 Olympics. Rayssa Leal appears flying on her skateboard. Flags and signs with the Olympic rings leave no doubt: the Winter Games are about to begin.
I arrive in Italy to cover the Olympic Games on site for the eighth time as a journalist, with the same excitement as the first. There is something about this event that makes it magical, special and unique. Even though each edition is different. How lucky for me.
Anyone reading the news, days before the opening ceremony on February 6th, might think it’s going to be a mess. The ice hockey arena was ready late; Will this hinder the athletes? If Ice — the North American immigration agency — is going to provide security for US authorities who will be here, what is the morale of the Italian police? In times of global warming, will there be snow?
Don’t be scared. It is normal, before the Games begin, for the focus to be on the problems of the host country. I often say that I think it’s great, because it puts pressure on governments and organizers and forces them to act.
I’m confident it will work, despite some challenges. They will be the most widely spread Games in history, in Milan and three other regions of the Italian Alps. The idea is to take advantage of existing tracks and arenas, building as little as possible. It is essential to avoid white elephants, but it brings a logistical headache.
On the other hand, the Italians have experience in hosting major events. There were three Olympic Games alone — one in summer and two in winter. In terms of sports, they are similar to Brazilians. In addition to football, they love volleyball, something not so common in Western Europe. They play and cheer with emotion, like us. In a country so rich in art, culture, architecture and cuisine, enchanting visitors will be the easiest part.
Anyone watching it on television will also be impressed. You can wait: with the advancement of transmission technologies, images in the snow will be even more spectacular.
And, of course, the main attraction is the achievements of the athletes. How these men and women who dedicate their lives for a day teach me about resilience, discipline, the search for excellence… It’s a competition that always has many more stories than the thousands of journalists present can tell. In the coming days, we will find out which of them will shape these Games. And, who knows, this time, Brazil’s first medal in Winter Olympics will come? We’ve never been this close.
No sporting event or organization is perfect. Problems always happen, it is necessary to demand and criticize when necessary. But, once again, I have no doubts: the Olympic Games are worth it.
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