The Calabria Region turns the spotlight back on the children of the “Costantino Mustari” comprehensive institute in Taverna, winners in 2023 of the national contest for the creation of the official mascots of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Tina and Milo, who participated in the closing ceremony of the Games.
«The Olympics – declares the regional councilor for Education, Eulalia Micheli – leave us with a legacy of a great international event which has been able to combine creativity and participation with sport. The Games have ended, but the value of the experiences lived and the talents that contributed to making them special remain. Among these are our boys from Taverna who in 2023, with Tina and Milo, demonstrated ability, creativity and vision.”
Institutional recognition
The councilor underlines that he wanted the students’ commitment not to remain confined to a celebratory moment, but to be fully recognized and valued. «The contest formally concluded with participation in the Sanremo event and with initiatives also carried out in Taverna. However, it was the Calabria Region that brought attention to that experience, promoting a path of further valorisation”.
For this reason, the students were hosted in the regional Citadel, where they also met the president of the Region, Roberto Occhiuto, in a moment of institutional recognition. «We wanted to highlight the value of the presence of mascots at the Olympics, a symbol not only of the sporting event but also of creativity, identity and participation of the territories».
The invitation of the Milan-Cortina Foundation
«Determinant – adds Micheli – was the sensitivity of the president of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, who extended an invitation not foreseen by the competition regulations. I thank him for his availability: it was an important sign of attention towards these kids and towards Calabria.”
The initiative, concludes the councilor, is part of a broader process of support for young Calabrian talents. «With these students, as well as with many others who stand out in study and sport, we have started a journey of valorization and accompaniment. Calabria believes in its young people: our task is to create opportunities and recognize merit, transforming individual results into collective heritage.”