As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics came to a close, a group of George Washington University students made their way back to Foggy Bottom, energized by the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The students spent an incredible two weeks taking in the excitement of one of the world’s largest sporting events, learning, exploring and making new connections along the way.
Since 1992, Lisa Delpy Neirotti, the director of the M.S. in Sport Management Program at GW Business and an associate professor of sport management, has been taking GW students to the Olympic Games. The program gives students a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into how a major international sporting event is organized.
While in Italy, the GW students volunteered with the Milano Cortina Olympic Organizing Committee (MiCo) and gained valuable, hands-on experience in event management and hospitality.
They assisted at events including ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating, helping to prepare athlete locker rooms, access control to field of play, ticketing and supporting guests.
Students also conducted surveys with attendees to collect valuable spectator data, which will be shared with the International Olympic Committee and the Future Host Organizing Committees.
The GW students had the chance to meet with Olympic officials, athletes and connected with GW alumni who were at the games.
Below are reflections from students as they describe what they gained from this one-of-a-kind opportunity.
To learn more about the students’ experience, visit their blog.