Mini Olympics of the Valleys
The Olympic Games for children of the Chisone and Germanasca Valleys, held across the Upper Germanasca Valley
About Mini Olympics of the Valleys
The Mini Olympics of the Valleys: Sport Uniting a Territory
The Mini Olympics of the Valleys are much more than just a sporting event: they are a collective ritual that has accompanied the growth of children in the Chisone and Germanasca Valleys, in the Pinerolo area near Turin, for nearly half a century. Born in 1977 in Porte, the event takes place every two years, involving primary and middle school students from the region who compete in various sports in a festive and healthy competitive spirit.
The 25th Edition: The First Decentralized Event
The 2026 edition marked a turning point in the event's history: for the first time since 1977, the organization was entrusted not to a single village, but to a group of municipalities in the Upper Germanasca Valley — Massello, Perrero, Prali, and Salza di Pinerolo — with the support of the Mountain Union of the Chisone and Germanasca Valleys. The opening ceremony was held in Massello, at the Friulana di Massello in the Molino area, featuring the lighting of the cauldron and the arrival of the Olympic torch, which symbolically passed through the Gianna Tunnel of the Mining Ecomuseum's 'ScopriAlpi' route, uniting sport, territory, and cultural heritage in a single gesture.
Hundreds of Young Athletes, Twelve Disciplines
The Mini Olympics draw 713 athletes who reside in or attend schools in the two valleys, competing in twelve disciplines: from swimming to track and field, gymkhana to bocce, and mini-marathons. The competitions are itinerant, with each day hosted by a different municipality, transforming the squares and facilities of these small mountain towns into Olympic arenas for a few days. For swimming, athletes travel to the pool in Perosa Argentina, the only swimming facility in the area.
A Community-Building Event
Beyond the results, what matters is participation, team spirit, and the pride of representing one's school and town. The Mini Olympics of the Valleys is an eagerly awaited event for entire families, supported by dozens of volunteers, and represents one of the most cherished moments in the community life of the Chisone and Germanasca Valleys. It is a model of grassroots sport that is educational and deeply rooted in the territory, passed down from generation to generation among the municipalities of the Pinerolo area.
Mini Olympics of the Valleys — edition 2026
The 25th edition of the Mini Olympics of the Valleys marked a historic change: for the first time since 1977, the organization was entrusted to a group of municipalities in the Upper Germanasca Valley — Massello, Perrero, Prali, and Salza di Pinerolo — rather than a single village. The opening ceremony, on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 PM, was held in Massello at the Friulana di Massello in the Molino area, with the arrival of the torch through the Gianna Tunnel of the Mining Ecomuseum and the lighting of the cauldron. For five days, the competitions involved 713 young athletes from schools in the Chisone and Germanasca Valleys in twelve disciplines.
Programme Mini Olympics of the Valleys 2026
Friday, May 29 — Massello
- 6:30 PM — Opening ceremony at the Friulana di Massello (Molino area): arrival of the Olympic torch through the Gianna Tunnel and lighting of the cauldron
Saturday, May 30 — Perosa Argentina
- Swimming competitions at the municipal pool of Perosa Argentina
Sunday, May 31 — Perrero and Salza di Pinerolo
- Morning — Gymkhana for primary school students, in Perrero
- Afternoon — Bocce competitions for middle school students, in Salza di Pinerolo
Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2 — Prali
- Track and field competitions
- Track and field finals and mini-marathons
The twelve scheduled disciplines ranged from swimming to track and field, gymkhana to bocce, and mini-marathons, involving a total of 713 athletes.
Highlights Mini Olympics of the Valleys 2026
The absolute novelty of this edition: the first shared organization among four municipalities of the Upper Germanasca Valley. The opening ceremony in Massello was evocative, with the Olympic torch passing through the Gianna Tunnel of the Mining Ecomuseum. The edition also featured an official anthem composed by Ika and Paolo Bonnet.
Prices Mini Olympics of the Valleys 2026
Practical information — Mini Olympics of the Valleys
Location
The 25th edition (2026) was held as an itinerant event across the municipalities of the Upper Germanasca Valley: Massello (opening ceremony), Perrero, Salza di Pinerolo, and Prali, with swimming competitions in Perosa Argentina (Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont).
How to get there
The Upper Germanasca Valley can be reached from Pinerolo by taking the SP169 and SP170 roads towards Perrero and Prali. Massello is a hamlet accessible via the turn-off at Perrero.
Who it is for
The event is reserved for primary and middle school students who reside in or attend schools in the Chisone and Germanasca Valleys. Registration requires a non-competitive medical certificate and a discipline selection form to be submitted by the deadlines indicated by the organizers.
Frequency
The event is held biennially; the next edition is expected in 2028.
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Where does it take place — Mini Olympics of the Valleys
Friulana di Massello, loc. Molino