«Twenty years later I’m running again, with another Olympic torch in my hand. I hope to make it physically, time weighs heavily…”. Former mayor Valentino Castellani, 85 years old, smiles, as he rejoiced in Seoul when Turin was awarded the Olympics in 1999. Then he experienced the adventure of 2006 as president of Toroc. Today, together with Evelina Christillin and Tiziana Nasi, he will compose the triptych of the last torchbearers before the brazier is lit.
Aren’t you afraid of the risk of an event that gives in to nostalgia rather than celebrating an anniversary?
«I’m reluctant to reductism, but a bit of nostalgic return to that event is inevitable. If we look ahead, however, we see the Olympics in the French Alps: in 2030 Turin should once again be a protagonist in five circles by hosting some competitions. And then what matters is the legacy that the 2006 Games left behind.”
Which?
«The material one, first and foremost. Facilities that have hosted other prestigious sporting events: they would have been impossible to create without the 2006 Olympics. Then there is the immaterial one, perhaps more important.”
How does it manifest itself?
«The reputation of the city and its organizational capabilities, fundamental requirements for winning the sporting events that Turin hosted after 2006. And then the human capital created in those years: many of the Toroc officials and managers, then girls and boys, then traveled the world working on the organization of other world-class events».
Turin’s challenger, Sion, appeared for the third time and seemed to have the advantage. Then there was the twist.
«On the eve of the match an Australian journalist underlined that we were not favourites. I replied that I had been a university professor and when a student took an exam for the third time it was not a given that he would pass. While a student could get honors on his first attempt. There was general laughter.”
What is your greatest pride, thinking back to that experience?
«The fact that they were clean Games. Many complaints were made to the judiciary, some specious, about the work and management by Toroc. But no episode of embezzlement or corruption was detected, which is quite rare in Italy.”
The best memory of that Olympics?
«The awards ceremony in Piazza Castello for the cross-country skiing relay. Italy won the gold and the square was paved with tricolors, everyone was singing the anthem. Suddenly an almost fairy-tale snowfall began: it seemed like a special effect prepared by the director.”
Would Turin have what it takes for a new candidacy today?
«I really think so. We missed the great opportunity with the 2026 candidacy. The most common sense choice would have been Milan as the leader, but with a significant number of tenders in Turin. Unfortunately we know how it ended.”
Who is to blame for that blurred train?
«The responsibility of the then Appendino administration seems clear to me. The position of the Five Stars was negative from the beginning, then they tried to recover in an awkward way. We also missed a great chance to redevelop the most critical facilities of Turin 2006, such as the Cesana bobsleigh track and the Pragelato trampolines.”
What would it have meant for Turin to host part of the 2026 Olympics?
«The 2006 Games were the real revolution for Turin, they projected it onto the map of international tourism. In the 90s when I traveled around Europe everyone asked me: “Where is Turin?”. Hosting the 2026 races would have strengthened the image of the city, it would have been a confirmation of the highest level.”
How do you think that this administration is managing major events?
«The approach seems positive to me. The ATP Finals demonstrate this, a merit that must be recognized to Appendino even if they came as a repair to the Olympic debacle.”
After the urban transformation linked to the 2006 Games, today a new master plan is upon us. Are you optimistic?
«The change in urban spaces had started before, the Olympics were an extraordinary driving force. I don’t know the details of the new master plan, but it seems to me that it is a consolidation of urban transformation. I’m quite confident about how the city will be redeveloped, with the philosophy of services 15 minutes away.”
