Expo per lo Sport and Sport&Fun Village: A Weekend of Success

The event kicked off on Friday, September 25th, with a day dedicated to educational institutions. Over 60 primary and lower secondary schools from Milan and its metropolitan area participated in sports activities and trials, giving students a chance to explore different disciplines and experience sports firsthand. The day also included educational sessions, such as talks with nutrition experts from Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, and a visit to the Centrale Elvezia.

On Saturday, September 26th, and Sunday, September 27th, the Discovery Park welcomed families with a program featuring over 30 sports. Participants could try out, watch demonstrations, see exhibitions, and join tournaments. Basketball, volleyball, fencing, skating, cycling, athletics, football, American football, sailing, and canoeing were among the many activities available. The event also hosted safety education from the State Police and involved high school students in work-study programs. Students from the Cardano and Labor institutes assisted with event organization, gaining practical experience.

A notable moment occurred on Saturday, September 26th, when actor Adam Sandler joined a basketball game with young players in Parco Sempione during a tournament.

Nicola Schena, the organizer of Expo per lo Sport, called it "a great celebration of sport that involved many young people and families." He highlighted the return of the school day and the successful collaboration with the Municipality of Milan, the Lombardy Region, and the Territorial School Office. Schena noted the variety of sports, from popular ones to those gaining traction like skating and fencing, calling it an important outcome for the next edition.

Martina Riva, Milan's Councillor for Sport, Tourism, and Youth Policies, emphasized the importance of events like Expo per lo Sport in encouraging young people to be active. "Events like this are crucial for our vision of Milanese sport, especially after the Olympics and Paralympics," she stated. Riva sees it as a great opportunity for children to discover their sport among the more than 30 options available, potentially leading them to enroll in courses. She added that the event is now a staple in the city's sports calendar, encouraging people to return to school and engage in sports.

Federica Picchi, Undersecretary for Sport and Youth for the Lombardy Region, expressed pride in events that promote sport as a tool for education and development. "The numbers from this edition are significant, with over 60 schools on the first day. They show public interest in a diverse offering that highlights different talents," she remarked. Picchi believes sport has a universal language that teaches young people about rules, teamwork, sacrifice, and commitment.

The Sport&Fun Experience Village also saw significant engagement, attracting over 250,000 visitors over two days at the Arco della Pace. Eurosport talents including Francesca Marsaglia (alpine skiing), Paolo Canè and Jacopo Lo Monaco (tennis), and Luca Gregorio, Riccardo Magrini, and Moreno Moser (cycling) were present.

Olympic figure skater Valentina Marchei, who was active at the Sport&Fun Experience Village, described Eurosport as an extended family and felt a special emotion being "back in the square" at the Arco della Pace. She enjoyed promoting the value of physical activity for the community and the joy of outdoor sports, turning Milan into an open-air gym.