Inter and the Olympics: Nerazzurri stories of sport and passion
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— 14 hours agoWhen the Nerazzurri colours leave the football pitch and find their way onto the ice of speed skating, the slopes of alpine skiing or the jumps of freestyle snowboarding, a unique bond is created, built on shared values and a powerful, unmistakable passion that cuts across disciplines.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have already seen the Nerazzurri shine through a series of exceptional torchbearers. Cristian Chivu carried the Olympic Flame through Milan during the final leg of its journey from Greece, following in the footsteps of Vice President Javier Zanetti, who took part the previous day in Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como.
The Flame’s journey also crossed paths with other prominent Nerazzurri figures, including Andrea Ranocchia, Marco Belinelli, who served as torchbearer in Bologna, and chef Davide Oldani, who joined the relay on its 59th day alongside American musician Snoop Dogg.
Among the athletes who have carried their Nerazzurri passion to the very highest level stands Arianna Fontana — multiple Olympic medallist, queen of Italian speed skating and the most decorated Italian athlete in Winter Olympic history. Her extraordinary career boasts 11 Olympic medals, 13 world titles and 18 European golds. Arianna has taken Nerazzurri pride around the world, sharing her story and her passion in the “Off The Pitch” format.
“My first Games were Turin 2006, and thinking about competing for a medal twenty years later gives me goosebumps. My brother and my father are Inter fans, and I started going to the stadium with my brother. His shouts, laughter, expectations and tears showed me the most fascinating side of football, and from there I began to learn more and more about the players and the Club’s history. Inter brought us even closer together. When I’m away competing, I always try to stay up to date — I follow the results and watch matches whenever I can. It’s a way of feeling at home, even on the other side of the world.”
Arianna Fontana a "Off the pitch"
Alongside Fontana, Off The Pitch has welcomed a host of elite Winter Olympic athletes — Inter fans and beyond — including Valentina Margaglio, leader of Italian skeleton, Ian Matteoli, the first Italian to reach a Big Air Snowboard World Cup podium, and Anna Gasser, two-time Olympic champion in freestyle snowboarding. Each shared their journey and their anticipation ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. Also featured was Amos Mosaner, Olympic gold medallist at Beijing 2022 in mixed doubles curling, who spoke about his bond with Inter:
“My passion for Inter was passed on to me by my cousin. When I was very young, he supported Inter and I followed him. Nerazzurri colours are in my heart. I think my first shirt was Ronaldo’s — a very special player for me, because he played during the period when I first started supporting this great Club.”
Amos Mosaner a "Off the pitch"
Inter was also one of the great loves of Elena Fanchini, the unforgettable Italian skier who passed away in 2023. During her career, she represented Italy at three Winter Olympic Games — Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 — and won silver in the downhill at the 2005 World Championships. Together with her sister Nadia, she reached the very highest levels on the slopes, sharing not only sporting success but also their love for skiing and the Nerazzurri colours, leaving behind a powerful legacy and unforgettable memories for all Inter fans and lovers of sport.