Big screens and cross-country skiing: Casa Lombardia's square dresses up for the Olympics.

Federica Brignone's weekend was sold out. Parents with children to try out the synthetic track

"We're second in the Olympic medal table, it's impressive," "Playing at home and winning so much is a unique feeling." These are just some of the comments you hear walking through Casa Lombardia under the Palazzo della Regione, in these final days of the Olympic Games. The interactive hub was designed to engage enthusiasts, young people, families, and children, allowing everyone to experience the Olympic atmosphere even without being athletes. And that atmosphere is immediately felt upon arriving in Piazza Città di Lombardia, among giant screens, chairlifts, and curious people walking by. Inside the arena experience, a large screen broadcasts the races live for those who sit down to watch after enjoying a coffee at Antonino Cannavacciulo's bar. "It's quiet, but when Brignone won, there were so many fans cheering," say the staff at Arena Experience, the beating heart of Casa Lombardia, as they hand out souvenir T-shirts.

What draws the most attention, however, are the attractions designed for young people, but also appreciated by adults. "Dad, let's go sit over there," shout two children, running toward a cable car outside the arena. "All these initiatives are a great opportunity for my children to spend more time outdoors," explains Massimo, their father, as he watches them now cooped up in the cable car. Not far away, another group of youngsters is having fun in the Snowman playground. "It's not your usual little park under the house," comments Maria, who, like the other mothers around her, never takes her eyes off her daughter as she goes down the slides.

Even the adults are swept away by the Olympic enthusiasm. At the Eni Winter Village, the young men in yellow jackets invite visitors to try cross-country skiing on the dedicated synthetic trail: "You can grab your boots and skis over there and go for a spin. It's easy, don't worry!" Pointing to a mother and daughter skiing under the Palazzo della Regione, one of them adds: "Better try it now, it always gets crowded on weekends." The guys and girls from Casa RTL 102.5 seem busier, busy setting up the bar under the stage for après-ski style evenings. Designed to bring a touch of the mountains to the heart of Milan, the DJ sets transform Piazza Città di Lombardia into a veritable mountain hut. "This type of event is attracting a lot of people who want to have fun," they say from behind the counter.

Link to the site: https://milano.repubblica.it/c...