Born in the mountains. Driven by pure determination. Years of discipline distilled into seconds that define everything. Every step, every stride, every heartbeat – rising toward her moment at Milano Cortina. This is Aita's time to rise.
Our latest film follows Aita Gasparin, Odlo ambassador and Swiss biathlete, on her resilient journey to this year's Winter Olympic Games. Watch below (don't forget to turn on sound for the best experience):
Rising up
Aita Gasparin is no stranger to the Olympic stage. Born and raised in the Engadin Valley, she discovered biathlon after following her older sisters, Selina and Elisa, into the sport. Together, the trio – all three of whom are active Odlo brand ambassadors – made history competing side by side in the women’s relay at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Aita represented Switzerland again in 2018, her career in full bloom…until 2022, when she found herself watching the Games from the sidelines. “That year reshaped me as I dealt with some heavy stones on my path, both personally and professionally,” said Aita. “I came out of it more motivated than ever to make it back onto the Swiss Olympic team.” Fast forward to 2026: Aita is calm, focused and – after three years of dedication – finally set to compete on the Olympic stage again in Milano Cortina.
Milano Cortina marks a new chapter in the Gasparin story. For the first time, Aita will attend the Olympic Games without her sisters by her side.
“It’s something we all knew would happen at some point,” she says. “Selina went to Vancouver on her own and we followed her races on TV – now it’s my turn. It feels that simple.”
Yet the difference is felt beyond the Games themselves. This winter season is also the first time Aita competes entirely on her own as a Gasparin sister.
“My teammates do a great job of keeping my happiness high and making sure we’re having fun doing what we love,” she says.
The legacy remains – not as pressure, but as quiet strength. Carried forward in experience, resilience and the knowledge that she’s never truly alone on the start line.
Aita says her biggest challenge during race moments is calming the mind and knowing when to simply let the body take over. That balance – body over mind – is magnified in the biathlon, where athletes must shift from high-speed skiing to calm, precision shooting in a matter of seconds. Biathletes must make time stand still, lowering their heart rate enough so they can hit targets 50 metres away.
And Aita is ready. Her goal isn’t perfection – it’s to be fully present during the race, knowing that when she crosses the line, she’s given it her all. In her words: “No matter what happens at the Games, time will keep moving forward. And I’m just going to do my best to enjoy every moment.”
“Time is both friend and foe. Sometimes, milliseconds decide the outcome of a race that can change your career, your livelihood…” – Aita Gasparin
Time to Rise is more than a campaign. It’s about what it truly takes to become an Olympian – the years of commitment, the sacrifices and the belief needed to reach the world’s biggest stage.
It follows Aita from her earliest races to her rise toward Milano Cortina 2026, capturing the discipline, emotion and resilience that define both elite sport and the Swiss performance mindset.
For us, this story matters because it reflects a journey we – and many others – will relate to. Long stretches of unseen work, moments of waiting and the determination to keep going, even when progress feels slow. It’s about valuing the process, not just the result.
But Time to Rise is also about inspiration. Aita’s story is a reminder to get out there, do what you love and find fulfilment through movement and the simple joy of time spent outdoors.
Her road to Milano Cortina brings it all together. Rooted in Switzerland and shaped by experience, Aita’s journey mirrors our own – built over decades of innovation and a shared passion for performance in the mountains. Rising not just as an athlete, but as a person, fully present and ready for what’s next.
We’ve been part of winter sports’ most iconic moments for over half a century. From our debut on the Olympic stage in 1964 – when elite competitors adopted our pioneering heat-regulating race kit – to the 1972 Sapporo Games, where more than 25 national teams competed in Odlo Thermic suits. The beginnings of a legacy of innovation on the world stage.
Today, as the official outfitter of the Swiss National Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski Teams, we continue our long-standing Olympic connection – outfitting athletes with precision-engineered layers designed for the toughest conditions and the highest stakes.
As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, we’re proud to support Aita Gasparin on her journey to one of sport’s most iconic stages – and to stand behind the entire Swiss-Ski team as they prepare to represent Switzerland at the Olympic Winter Games. As the athletes step into this extraordinary moment, we champion their commitment, their courage and everything it’s taken to reach the start line.
This is their time to rise.