MILAN, Italy – For many retirees, slowing down is part of the plan.
For Doug and Carol Hill of Macomb Township, retirement has meant picking up the pace.
The Metro Detroit couple is in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics -- the latest stop on an ambitious mission to attend some of the world’s biggest sporting events.
“I’m here to witness the Olympics,” Doug Hill said.
Hill, a retired English teacher from Rochester Community Schools and former newspaper sportswriter, calls it “The Sports Fan Project” -- an effort to attend 80 major sporting events worldwide.
“The Sports Fan Project is around the world in 80 sporting events,” Hill said.
The 2026 Winter Games mark event No. 42.
We walked through Castello Sforzesco, taking in the historic architecture on our way to additional Olympic venues.
“The magnificent grandeur of it all is second to none to this point,” Hill said.
Their Olympic bucket list in Milan includes figure skating, hockey, and short track speed skating -- along with sampling Italy’s famed cuisine.
Even after tasting pizza in its homeland, Hill says his loyalty remains with his hometown.
“It’s been passable, but I’m not sure that I’ve had the slice of pizza yet that will make me forget a Cloverleaf slice,” Hill said, referencing the Detroit-style favorite.
For Carol Hill, the experience goes far beyond food and competition.
“Having the experience to see people from all different countries — it really is just a special place to be,” Carol said.
The couple said they were surprised at how doable and affordable the overseas trip turned out to be, and encourage others with the Olympics on their bucket list to consider making the journey.
The Hills already plan to attend the 2028 Summer Olympics and will continue documenting their travels online at TheSportsFanProject.com.
For Doug and Carol Hill, retirement is not about slowing down -- it’s about finally seeing the world.