The torches for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games have been officially revealed, blending iconic Italian design with a message of inclusivity and sustainability. Their unveiling marks a symbolic milestone in the countdown to the Games.
With fewer than 300 days remaining until the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Organising Committee presented the torches that will lead both the Olympic and Paralympic relays across Italy.
The launch was celebrated through a dual event held at the Triennale di Milano and Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The occasion featured appearances by legendary Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including Bebe Vio, Stefania Belmondo, Carolina Kostner, and Martina Caironi—highlighting the spirit of unity and excellence that defines the Games.
Both torches, called ‘Essential’, share the same structural design, developed entirely in Italy by Studio Carlo Ratti Associati, Eni, Versalis and the Cavagna Group. Each weighs 1,060 grams (excluding fuel), is made from a recycled alloy of aluminium and brass, runs on Bio-LPG – a sustainable gas derived from waste materials – and can be reused up to ten times.
The open structure of the torches allows the internal components to remain visible, highlighting the balance between technology, sustainability and innovation. According to the Organising Committee, “each torch is more than just an object: it is an icon, a fundamental part of the story Milano Cortina wants to tell”.
The differences between the two torches are minimal and symbolic: the Olympic torch features blue-green hues inspired by Italy’s changing skies, while the Paralympic version shines in a reflective bronze tone, representing the inner strength of Paralympic athletes. Both have an iridescent finish that reflects the light and the environment, reinforcing the link between sport, nature and the future.
“The torch is spectacular, really beautiful. The embodiment of Italian design. It’s not minimalism, it’s essentiality turned into style,” said Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, speaking from the Olympic torch room in Rome.
Malagò also confirmed that the Olympic relay will start in Olympia, Greece, and travel from Rome through all of Italy’s provinces, culminating in Milan on 6 February 2026. “It will be a gigantic tour of Italy, a symbolic marathon. We’ve already received more than 20,000 applications for the 10,000 places available for torchbearers, which reflects the strong appeal of these Games,” he said.
The Paralympic flame will be lit in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom – the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. In Italy, 501 torchbearers will cover 2,000 kilometres before the cauldron is lit on 6 March 2026, marking the start of the Paralympic Winter Games, which run until 15 March.
The launch was emotional. Paralympic fencing champion Bebe Vio said, “This torch has a special meaning because it’s the first ever designed to represent everyone. But also because it’s something very Italian: it’s not just one person who wins, it’s the whole team.”
She recalled the first time she carried the torch in 2012, “I was 14 or 15 and I felt I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. Now I can say we’ve done something – and let’s see what else we can achieve.”
The torches will be on display from May at the Triennale di Milano and the Italia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Tickets for the Paralympic Winter Games are already on sale at tickets.milanocortina2026.org, with 89 per cent priced at €35 or less – a strong statement of accessibility and inclusion.
With this symbol now lit, Italy sets off on the road to Milano Cortina 2026 – a legacy of design, sustainability and collective spirit that will unite millions through sport, from the majestic Alps to every corner touched by its flame.
