Finally in Milano! Part 4.
- Isabelle Morin
- Feb 2
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 7
On 28 January 2026, we finally arrived in Milano. If you remember Part 3, you know we had venue training scheduled at San Siro Stadium just two hours and thirty minutes after our plane was supposed to land. Considering the commute from the airport to the stadium takes at least an hour, the odds of making it on time were already slim. No surprise, we didn’t make it.
Our flight left an hour late, and the crew had to change the route, so we ended up landing only thirty minutes before the training was meant to begin. Customs went smoothly, we figured out the commute without trouble, and we even managed to stash our luggage at a little bar that stores bags for a fee. We reached San Siro around 2:20 p.m.—a full 110 minutes late. The good news: they still let us in. Even better: the session had barely started.
The first part of the training was a general presentation where we learned that volunteers assigned to the opening ceremonies (event services) would be deployed in one of four zones:
Outer – before security
Inner – between security and the stadium entrance
Bowl – inside the stadium
Athletes Parade – the corner where athletes enter for the parade
Naturally, I immediately thought, “Please let me be in the Bowl.” But there was nothing to do but wait—assignments won’t be announced until the 4th. After a long slideshow, we were given a short tour of the stadium. It wasn’t very detailed, but at least we now know where to check in on the 4th and 6th.
One of the supervisors explained something that suddenly made everything click: our February 4th shift, called Dress Rehearsal, is an actual rehearsal! With my theatre background, I felt a bit silly for not realizing it sooner. Of course, you don’t stage a show for the entire planet without a full rehearsal. The Dress Rehearsal is essentially the entire Opening Ceremony—lights, sound, costumes, staging—performed exactly as it will be on the big night. And here’s the wild part: they’re inviting 20,000 spectators to watch it. That’s why volunteers are needed for a full eight-hour shift that day.
I’m grateful we arrived more than a week before the Games begin. It gives us time to explore the city and feel at home before the whirlwind starts. That said, on 28 January—just nine days before the Opening Ceremony—the stadium did not look ready. However, I’ve read enough Olympic coverage over the years to know this is practically tradition. Everything looks late… until suddenly, magically, it isn’t. A returning volunteer, back for her eighth Olympics, laughed and said, “It’s always like that.”
Accreditation and Uniform Day
On our second day in Milan, after an 11-hour much needed sleep, we headed to the Accreditation and Uniform Center. Accreditation was quick—under 20 minutes. My badge shows my access to MOS (Milano Olympic Stadium) and MSS (Milano Speed Skating). I can’t share a photo, but trust me, it feels very official.
Then came the Uniform Center. You’re assigned a changing booth and try on every piece to ensure the right fit. Everything is made by Salomon, and the quality is incredible. The system is fully layered: First a Long-sleeve polo, then a fleece, then a light jacket, and a nice parka to finish it off! We also got warm pants, ski pants, boots, a beanie, neck cover, gloves, and a backpack. The process reminded me of receiving my new military winter gear in the early 2000s—warm, versatile, comfortable—but this time, it also looks great. Goodbye, Army green!
Sponsors also spoil volunteers: so far, we’ve received a Swatch watch and a Coca-Cola water bottle, with more gifts promised throughout the Games. It’s starting to feel like I signed up for something truly special. When we visited the official store of Olympics merchandise, we found all pieces of clothing comparable to what we received and it looks like the clothes we got are worth more than 1000€!
Véronique’s Role—Finally
Remember how my sister Véronique still didn’t have a role? On 17 January, just three weeks before the Games, she finally received an offer. I happened to be visiting her that weekend, which is rare since she lives 550 km away. We were so excited to open the email!
Our enthusiasm dimmed slightly when we realized her role wasn’t with the spectators, like mine. If she accepted that role, she would be supporting volunteer drivers at the Fleet Depot in Milan, not in a sport venue. The fleet transports VIPs, sponsors, and athletes, and every vehicle needs a volunteer driver. Véronique will help manage those volunteer drivers. She felt both happy and disappointed—thrilled to be selected, but wishing she was closer to the action. Still, she accepted. It took another week (and an email address we randomly found on a Facebook post) for her to get a schedule, but it’s official: she lands in Milan on 4 February to join the adventure.
The Opening Ceremony
On Friday, 31 January, we received a surprise email from Team 26: volunteers were being offered the chance to buy Opening Ceremony tickets for only 26€! The message included a special link allowing each volunteer to purchase up to four tickets. I immediately forwarded it to Véronique, who snapped one up for herself. Then, not wanting to miss out on such an incredible deal—tickets were literally ten times cheaper than the regular lowest price—I bought four additional tickets to offer to people I know within about 300 km of Milan. (Admittedly, that’s not a long list, but I figured I could find at least some takers).
In the end, no one I knew could make it, so I resold the tickets, at cost of course, to other volunteers who hadn’t been able to get any before the offer sold out, later that same day. I ended up making four people very very happy, including a woman from Ottawa!
On 2 February, just four days before the Opening Ceremony, we received another email, this time from the event services team. They asked us to reconfirm our availability for the dress rehearsal on the 4th, and the ceremony on the 6th. We had to stop and think. A lot had changed since we had first accepted our roles at the opening ceremonies. First, our very expensive tickets had been listed for over a month, with no buyers. Second, we had learned there was a 75% chance that we’d be stationed outside for the Opening ceremony. I simply couldn’t picture myself freezing outside, not seeing the show, while our pricey seats remained unsold. Given the new situation, we informed the organizers that we would attend the dress rehearsal but wouldn’t be able to volunteer at the ceremony itself. A part of me feels guilty about backing out so close to the event, but I know we accepted the assignment in good faith, genuinely believing our seats would be easy to sell.
Milano is on fire!
There are only four days left before the Games begin, and you can feel the excitement all over the city. Anything and everything has been decorated with an Olympic touch!
Dave and I decided to take a walk to the famous Piazza del Duomo to shop early for some official merchandise (before the lines get too long and/or the best stuff sells out). For the occasion, we put on our Canadian hockey jerseys. Mine proudly shows number 29, MPP’s number (of course)! Dave wears number 87, Crosby’s jersey, whom he actually saw playing during his early NHL days in 2006, while he was doing military training in Pittsburgh.
I have to admit, we turned quite a few heads. A woman even stopped us, she had played hockey for Queen’s University (in our hometown!) and had attended MPP and Stacey’s wedding. What are the odds?
But the most memorable stop of the day was definitely Lululemon. It felt almost surreal, like we had suddenly been transported back to Canada. From the window displays to the shelves, Canada was everywhere. All the staff were smiling at us and saying, “You fit perfectly with our décor!”
So here we are, 4 days prior to the Games! I can't wait to actually be in the Games and tell you all about it!
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