The Olympic flame was once again lit in Ancient Olympia, a gesture rich in symbolism that marks the beginning of the journey toward the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. In a world changing at great speed, this ignition represents a living link to the past, a reminder that Olympic values endure beyond time and generations. From Greece, the birthplace of sport and the Olympic tradition, the light begins a journey that seeks to unite cultures, inspire communities, and anticipate the spirit that Italy will project when it welcomes the world in February 2026.
The ceremony, held at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and led by Isidoros Kouvelos, brought together prominent figures of the Olympic Movement, including Kirsty Coventry, president of the IOC, and Constantine An. Tassoulas, president of the Hellenic Republic. Due to weather conditions, the flame was lit with sunlight during a previous rehearsal, ensuring the continuity of the traditional method. That fire was transferred to the official Milano Cortina 2026 torch and handed to the first torchbearer, Olympic medalist Petros Gkaidatzis, marking the start of the Greek relay alongside figures such as Stefania Belmondo and Armin Zoeggeler, whose careers embody the athletic greatness symbolized by each flame.
A lighting filled with message and Olympic memory
During the ceremony, Coventry reflected on the deeper meaning of the moment, emphasizing that the flame goes beyond symbolism to become a call for unity in challenging times. For her, lighting the torch brings into the present a light that connects past, present, and future, inviting us to remember that the Games exist to bring together athletes from around the world in a space of peace, respect, and fair competition. Her words resonated in a global context that calls for bridges and understanding, reinforcing the importance of the Olympic Truce as a universal gesture of hope.
The message also highlighted the role of athletes as carriers of the true Olympic spirit, who, through their effort and dedication, show the best of humanity. According to Coventry, that spirit only flourishes when everyone has the opportunity to participate without discrimination or barriers, reflecting the transformative power of sport. Surrounded by leaders of the Olympic Movement and Greek and Italian authorities such as Thomas Bach, Spyros Capralos, and Giovanni Malagò, the day served as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect and promote the values represented by the flame.
The greatest journey: a relay that travels through history, culture, and sustainability
The Milano Cortina 2026 torch relay has been conceived as “The greatest journey”, a route spanning 12,000 kilometers over 63 days, crossing 20 regions and 110 provinces of Italy, and visiting 60 World Heritage Sites. This journey aims not only to illuminate the host country but also to celebrate its cultural diversity, history, and deep connection to Olympic values. From major cities to the smallest communities, the passage of the flame seeks to inspire encounters, shared emotions, and a sense of national belonging.
Aligned with Milano Cortina 2026’s sustainability commitments, the torch will use bio-LPG sourced from renewable materials such as used cooking oil, and each unit can be reused up to ten times. After completing its route through Greece and the handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium, the flame will arrive in Italy on December 5, officially beginning the Italian stage on December 6. Its journey will conclude in Milan just before the Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026, keeping alive a tradition that, since 1964, has united the ignition in Olympia with the Winter Olympic Games and symbolized peace, friendship, and unity in each edition.
