The flame for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics was ignited in a historic ceremony at Ancient Olympia, Greece, on November 26, 2025, setting the stage for the upcoming Winter Games. Due to weather concerns, the event shifted indoors, but organizers preserved tradition by using sunlight captured during a rehearsal to light the flame.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry and IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach attended the ceremony, which featured Greek and Italian athletes passing the torch. Paris 2024 rowing bronze medalist Petros Gkaidatzis began the Greek relay leg, followed by Italian skiing champion Stefania Belmondo and luge gold medalist Armin Zoeggeler.
After a week in Greece, the flame will be transferred to Italy on December 4, 2025, launching a nationwide relay through 60 cities and 300 towns. The journey will culminate in Milan on February 6, 2026, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Games.
With 10,001 torchbearers, the relay symbolizes unity and anticipation for the first Winter Olympics hosted in Italy since 2006. The event underscores Italy’s role as a bridge between Olympic heritage and modern global sportsmanship.
