A champion in the tank, an artist out of the water
Simon Barlaamfour-time Paralympic champion, boasts an extraordinary medal collection which also includes three silvers, one bronze, nineteen world titles and twelve European titles. Yet, his talent doesn’t stop at water. Barlaam has decided to capitalize on his passion for comics by becoming the protagonist of an innovative project linked to Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
Comics and the Olympics: telling the road to Milan Cortina
The project of the Organizing Committee
The Organizing Committee of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics and Paralympics has chosen a modern and accessible visual language: the comic book. Through Barlaam’s cartoons, the approach and behind the scenes of the Games will be told. The project, supported by Italian Paralympic Committee and promoted within the program “Road to the Games”aims to spread the values of inclusion, creativity e participation.
The contents will be periodically published on the official social channels of Milano Cortina 2026, involving a large and diversified audience.
The first release: the Team26 program
Enhance volunteers with creativity
The first release in the series focuses on Team26the recruitment program for male and female volunteers. The project aims to highlight the importance of those who work behind the scenes to make a global event possible.
Luca CasassaHead of Media Relations and Digital Communication of Milano Cortina 2026, underlined: «We want to convey the key elements of the spirit of our Games: inclusion, creativity and participation. Comics are an ideal tool to involve the public in an unconventional way.”
Also Maria Teresa SquillaciHead of Web & Social Media, expressed enthusiasm: «The comic series will reach audiences with an accessible and visually engaging language. With her creations, Simone Barlaam will tell the story of the stages of the Road to the Games and inspire new generations, demonstrating that it is possible to express more than one talent.”
A different perspective, exceptional guests
Jannik Sinner in the vignettes of Barlaam
Also among the protagonists of the project is Jannik Sinnerambassador of Milano Cortina 2026. Barlaam said: «In the cartoons I had fun imagining scenes in which Sinner and I explain how the selection process for joining Team26 works. As athletes, we know how essential volunteers are for events of this caliber.”
The collaboration with Sinner adds a touch of charisma and expands the potential of comics, bringing younger audiences closer and creating a bridge between sport and creativity.
Storytelling: a means to inspire
Inclusion and participation in the center
Barlaam’s project represents an innovative way to tell the story of sports values and the importance of active participation. The cartoons offer a unique glimpse into the organizational complexity of the Games and the fundamental collaboration between athletes, volunteers and organizers.
The comic series thus becomes a vehicle to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarityof the teamwork and of direct involvement in sporting events.
Barlaam: the athlete and the artist
More than a talent
Barlaam, already famous for his exploits in the pool, demonstrates how it is possible to excel even outside of sport. His passion for comics is not just a hobby, but a powerful means of communicating meaningful messages and bringing the public closer to Olympic and Paralympic values.
«Experiencing the Olympics and Paralympics from a different perspective is stimulating – declared Barlaam -. It allows me to involve those who are not usually used to experiencing this world firsthand.”
Milano Cortina 2026: an event for everyone
A shared experience
The comic initiative is just one of the many activities that Milano Cortina 2026 is promoting to make the Games an inclusive and participatory experience. With a focus on sustainabilityon theinnovation and on theengagement digitalthe Games promise to be a point of reference for future generations.
