Milan Embraces Olympic Excitement, Shakes Off Pre-Games Blues
As the Milan Cortina Winter Games approach, the pre-Games atmosphere in Milan experienced a dramatic change. Just two days prior, damp weather and empty streets cast a gloomy mood over the city. Businesses seemed quiet, and the Olympic spirit felt distant.
Milan Embraces Olympic Excitement
The situation shifted on Thursday morning. The skies cleared, and sunlight poured into the city. Crowds of Olympic ticket holders, staff, journalists, and enthusiastic shoppers enlivened the streets. Eager attendees began planning to witness the Olympic torch relay as excitement built around the upcoming event.
Celebrating Olympic Spirit
- Gloria Vergara, a Spanish makeup artist, noted the palpable energy in Milan.
- She is part of a team preparing artists and athletes for the opening ceremony.
- Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform at the San Siro stadium’s ceremony.
In Piazza del Duomo, thousands gathered around Milan’s majestic Gothic cathedral. Here, construction workers finalized preparations for the platform that would welcome the torch, culminating in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
Local Businesses Get into the Olympic Spirit
The historic center of Milan buzzed with activity as local shops made tweaks to their window displays, embracing the Olympic theme. Francesco Pettinaroli, a descendant of the founder of one of Milan’s oldest establishments, shared how he revived watercolour prints from the 1956 Cortina Olympics. Priced around €600 ($970), these pieces, by artist Giuseppe Bacci, depict athletes in motion and evoke nostalgia for a bygone era.
Across the street, Antonio Miniaci, owner of Miart art gallery, celebrated the international spotlight the Olympics brought to Milan. He showcased new oil paintings featuring hockey players and figure skaters, expressing enthusiasm about the increased exposure for the city. While Miniaci chose to remain in his gallery during the events, he anticipated a boost in art sales from the influx of international visitors.
High-End Shopping and Olympic Tourism
Thursday revealed a surge of tourists in Milan, particularly along Via Montenapoleone, renowned for its luxury fashion boutiques. Shoppers explored stores from brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Tiffany. Natalia Novosad, the manager of a high-end cashmere shop, noted that the Olympics provided an added incentive for visitors to shop, stating, “People come here for the Olympics but also for the fashion, furniture, and food.”
Wilma Cheung, a retired accountant from Hong Kong, epitomized the dual purpose of her visit. “We are here mainly for the Olympics,” she said, “but you can’t come to Milan and not shop.”
The excitement in Milan underscores the city’s evolution into a global destination, amplified by the upcoming Winter Games. As the cultural and commercial energy increases, Milan fully embraces the Olympic spirit, shaking off the pre-Games blues.
