The Guardian - Life & Style • Feb. 5, 2026, 7:15 a.m.

In celebration of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which starts this week, paralympic swimming champion Simone Barlaam shares his favourite places in his hometown Born in Milan in 2000, Paralympic swimmer Simone Barlaam, is a 13-time world champion who won three golds and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He’s a torchbearer and ambassador for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, which run from 6-22 February (the Paralympic Games run from 6-15 March) at sites across Lombardy and north-east Italy (with events such as speed skating, figure skating and ice hockey in the city).

He also worked as a graphic designer for the games. Barlaam grew up in Milan and lives in NoLo (North of Loreto), a vibrant, artistic neighbourhood.

“I’ve lived all over the place, so I can take you around the city and the places that belong to my heart,” he says.

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