The Olympic flame for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games was lit today in Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, marking the start of its journey to Italy. The flame will arrive in Italy on 4 December and travel across the country before the Opening Ceremony on 6 February 2026.
The ceremony at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia was hosted by Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and attended by IOC President Kirsty Coventry and the President of Greece, Constantine An. Tassoulas.
Due to wet weather, the flame was lit during a rehearsal on Monday using sunlight to maintain the traditional method. It was then transferred to the official Milano Cortina 2026 torch. The first torchbearers were Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis, followed by Italian double Olympic champion Stefania Belmondo, who passed the flame to fellow champion Armin Zoeggeler.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the Games “bring people together in peaceful competition, friendship and respect” and called the Olympic flame a symbol of unity and hope for a brighter future.
Milano Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malagò added that the flame will carry Italy’s spirit across the country, inspiring young people through sport and highlighting the power of sport to build bridges and promote sustainability.
The Torch Relay
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay, called “The Greatest Journey,” will cover 12,000 km over 63 days, passing through all 20 Italian regions, 110 provinces, and 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites before reaching Milan for the Opening Ceremony. The torch uses sustainable bioLPG fuel and can be reused up to 10 times.
After leaving Greece, the flame will travel to Athens for the official handover at the Panathenaic Stadium on 4 December, then on to Rome on 5 December before the Italian relay begins on 6 December.
The tradition of lighting the Olympic flame in Olympia began in 1936 for the Summer Games and in 1964 for the Winter Games in Innsbruck. The flame represents the Olympic values of peace, friendship, and unity.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026.
