MILAN — Behind the gleaming spectacle of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics operates a dedicated force of approximately 18,000 volunteers, whose blue uniforms have become synonymous with the Games’ operational backbone. Among these essential personnel are seasoned veterans whose commitment spans two decades, returning to serve Italy’s third Winter Olympics with undiminished passion.
Three Italian women exemplify this enduring spirit through their remarkable journeys. Cristina Romagnoli, who previously volunteered at the 2006 Turin Games while supporting Team Ireland, now contributes at the short track speedskating venue. At 45, she actively involves her daughters in the Olympic atmosphere, hoping to pass the torch of volunteerism to the next generation.
Angela Frisina’s story reveals the transformative power of Olympic service. Beginning at age 50 during the Turin Games, volunteering shattered her routine existence of “work, son, home” and launched her into two decades of continuous community service. Now 70, she serves as an usher at women’s ice hockey events, connecting with international visitors she credits with broadening her worldview.
The most unconventional journey belongs to Olivia Azzalin, whose Turin Games experience yielded both professional fulfillment and personal transformation. While working with the organizing committee, she met her future husband, and their family expanded shortly after the Games. Now 53, she volunteers at the Olympic Village cafeteria, assisting athletes with recycling procedures after watching their competitions on television.
These women represent the enduring legacy of Olympic volunteerism—a force that sustains the Games’ operations while creating profound personal connections. Their stories illustrate how temporary service can evolve into lifelong dedication, creating human networks that persist long after the closing ceremonies conclude.
