Simone Barlaam illustrates the Road to Milano Cortina 2026

One of the stars of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Italian Para swimmer Simone Barlaam is now using another of his talents to support the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

The Milan-born four-time Paralympic champion has partnered with the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee to create a comic series about projects on the “Road to the Games,” which will be shared on the Milano Cortina 2026 social media channels.

The first episode focuses on Team26, the Volunteer Programme of the Winter Games. Through his illustrations, Simone Barlaam explains the various stages of the programme, from application to final selection, highlighting the essential role of volunteers in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Beyond his swimming achievements, Simone Barlaam has always had a passion for drawing, showing that every athlete, like every person, can possess and express more than one talent.

“It is a great honour to tell the story of the build-up to Milano Cortina 2026 through my love for comics. As an athlete, experiencing the Olympic and Paralympic Games from a different perspective is inspiring, especially since I know firsthand how essential volunteers are for us during events of this calibre,” Barlaam said, according to Milano Cortina 2026.

“In the comics, I had fun imagining scenes in which Jannik Sinner, Ambassador of the Volunteer Programme, and I explain how the selection process for Team26 works. Comics are an immediate, universal language—a unique way to connect with those who don’t usually experience this world firsthand,” the Para swimmer added, referring to Italy’s tennis star Sinner.

Maria Teresa Squillaci, Head of Web & Social Media for the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, shared that "the comic series aims to inspire new generations and engage the public with a modern, accessible, and visually engaging format. Through his creations, Simone Barlaam will not only help us illustrate the stages of the ‘Road to the Games’ but also send a powerful message to young people: we can all express more than one talent."

This communication initiative by the Organising Committee is also supported by the Italian Paralympic Committee (NPC Italy).

You can follow Simone Barlaam's comics on the Milano Cortina 2026 channels.