World Cup in Paralympic Alpine Skiing

Values and passion on the Olympia delle Tofane slope, where more than 700 students from the Veneto region will attend the famous international Paralympic competition.

Over 700 children and young people from primary and secondary schools throughout the Veneto region will be able to experience firsthand the Paralympic Alpine Skiing World Cup, which is currently being held on the Olympia delle Tofane slope in Cortina d' Ampezzo. The initiative is part of the Progetto Scuole (Schools Project) of the Fondazione Cortina, created in collaboration with the Associazione Sportiva Sociale Invalidi (Assi onlus) and the Federazione Sportiva Sport Invernali Veneto (FISI) and financed by the Veneto Region, and has the aim of raising awareness among the youngest in society on the theme of inclusiveness, in an event in which this important concept is the undisputed protagonist.

Furthermore, during the international competition, some high school students from Cortina will carry out work activities for the organisation of the competitions and will participate in theoretical training provided by Fondazione Milano Cortina within the PCTO project within the GEN26 Education Programme. 

Get to know the Paralympic world

During the four days of the Cup, in addition to attending the competitions, the students will be able to meet the athletes in person and listen to their stories, as well as participate in an educational game to directly understand what it means to be visually impaired and to rely completely on another person, precisely as happens for blind or visually impaired athletes who are accompanied in competitions by an athlete guide. A boy will then be blindfolded and will have to be guided by the voice of a companion along a pre-established route. In this way the event becomes a real laboratory of positive values ​​and a unique opportunity for the growth and training of the youngest in society.

PCTOs activated for Cortina students

In recent days, PCTOs (Paths for transversal skills and orientation) have also been activated for some students of the Scientific High School of the Polovalboite Institute of Cortina, in the framework of a collaboration with the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 and with the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), as part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Education Program. During the week of the Paralympic Alpine Skiing Cup, the kids have the opportunity to carry out practical on-the-job activities, such as supporting the setting up of the awards area or the work of the competition office, and then continue their training in the following week, supporting the Fondazione Cortina staff in daily activities and attending theoretical lessons organised by the Fondazione Milano Cortina. With these training courses, students can develop new skills through direct participation in the work of organisations operating in the world of sport and events.

Sport as a means of social inclusion

“Sport is a powerful means of social inclusion, capable of breaking down barriers and uniting people. The Paralympic Alpine Skiing World Cup offers everyone, and especially young people, not only the opportunity to attend prestigious sporting competitions, but also to learn and grow through the shared experience with extraordinary athletes who overcome challenges with courage and determination. We are happy that several schools across Veneto have responded positively to our invitation, and that they recognise this initiative as a truly important training activity for their students. We already have other activities planned, which will take place over the next few months" commented Michele Di Gallo, General Director of the Cortina Foundation.