With eyes set on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) has officially launched its Broadcasting Training Programme (BTP), an initiative that has sparked remarkable interest among young people in Italy. Since applications opened on April 28, over 835 students have expressed interest in taking part in this unique experience at the heart of Olympic production.

The BTP is designed to offer local students full immersion into the broadcasting operations of the Games, allowing them to gain hands-on experience alongside internationally renowned professionals. For Yiannis Exarchos, Chief Executive Officer of OBS, this is a strategic investment in the future of Olympic storytelling—an opportunity not just to train technicians, but also storytellers who will carry on the legacy of the Games.

A bridge between Italian youth and Olympic broadcasting

The 2026 edition of the programme anticipates the participation of around 1,000 students in training workshops between May and July in Milan, of whom approximately 650 will join the broadcast team during the Games. These sessions will be delivered by more than 25 OBS professionals and will cover specialisations such as live production, content creation, video recording, and technical support. In addition, 30 spots will be reserved for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, as successfully done in Paris 2024, providing them with key tools for their professional future.

The impact of the BTP extends beyond the immediate experience. Since its creation in 1984, more than 14,000 students have participated in the initiative, establishing a lasting legacy in every host country. Benefits range from technical training to the expansion of professional networks and international visibility. Stories like that of Yeeun, who took part in PyeongChang 2018 and discovered her passion for journalism through the programme, show how the BTP can be a turning point in the careers of its participants.