The sacred flame for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was kindled during a sunlit ceremony at Ancient Olympia, Greece, on November 26, 2025, marking the official countdown to next year's global sporting event. Actors portraying ancient priestesses ignited the torch using a parabolic mirror, continuing a tradition dating back to the original Games.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach emphasized the event's unifying power, stating: "This flame carries our shared hope for peace and human achievement." The torch will now begin an eight-day relay across Greece before arriving in Italy on December 4.
Organizers revealed the 2026 relay route will highlight Italy's Alpine regions and cultural landmarks, with 10,000 torchbearers expected to participate. The ceremony coincided with new infrastructure updates from Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, where 90% of competition venues utilize existing or temporary facilities aligned with sustainability goals.
