Nico Acampora and 5 guys from PizzAut torchbearers at the Villa Reale in Monza: the Olympic flame becomes a symbol of inclusion

One of the most significant steps in the journey of the Olympic Flame towards Milan-Cortina 2026 took place last night in the scenic setting of the Villa Reale in Monza. The exceptional torchbearer for the occasion was Nico Acampora, founder of PizzAut, flanked by five autistic young people involved in the project. A moment that transformed the ceremony into a concrete story of inclusion.

A special place for Pizzaut

The Villa Reale was not a random choice. It is precisely here that the first Monza evening of PizzAut was held in 2019, when it was still a fragile idea and many doubted that it could become reality. Finding ourselves in the same place today, with the Olympic Flame in our hands, gave the passage a highly symbolic value.

PizzAut is not a social model of work that puts people in a position to build a real future for themselves. Kitchen, dining room, team: not metaphors, but skills and professionalism. The presence of the autistic children next to Acampora explained better than any speech what inclusion means, practiced and not just declared.

A light on diversity

The day before the ceremony, Acampora shared emotionally charged words on social media:

Carrying the Olympic Flame with 5 Autistic kids makes any message even more powerful. They are the true champions, capable of slaloming through prejudices, overcoming obstacles that seemed impossible and achieving incredible results. Being a torchbearer with the PizzAut kids means shining a light on the value of diversity and remembering that every person has the right to play sport, to have a job, to dignity and to feel part of the community.

Traveling to Milan

The passing of the torch in Monza showed how the 2026 Winter Olympics can also be an opportunity to talk about what type of country you want to build. The Flame will continue today from Sesto San Giovanni towards Milan, where it will be lit at the brazier of the Arco della Pace, awaiting the Opening Ceremony on 6 February. But the message left last night at the Villa Reale will long remain one of the most exciting moments of these Games.

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