Olympic Flame Lit in Ancient Olympia
The sacred Olympic flame for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics commenced its journey on November 26, 2025, with the traditional lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia, Greece. The actual ignition of the flame occurred two days prior, on November 24, at the Temple of Hera, utilizing a parabolic mirror to harness the sun's rays. Due to adverse weather forecasts, the official ceremony on November 26 was relocated indoors to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Following its lighting, the flame embarked on a nine-day relay across Greece, traversing various historic and significant locations.
Handover Ceremony in Athens
The symbolic handover ceremony from Greece to Italy took place on December 4, 2025, at the historic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the site of the first modern Olympic Games. During the ceremony, Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, formally passed the flame to Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee.
Notable figures participated in the ceremony, including Italian Olympians Jasmine Paolini, a tennis champion, and cyclist Filippo Ganna, who served as torchbearers. Greek water polo champion Eleni Xenaki, alongside her teammates, had the honor of lighting the ceremonial cauldron within the stadium. High Priestess Mary Mina also played a traditional role in the proceedings.
Flame Arrives in Italy, Grand Relay Commences
Immediately after the Athens ceremony, the Olympic flame, protected within a lantern, arrived in Rome on December 4, 2025, via an ITA Airways flight. The Italian leg of the torch relay, dubbed 'The Greatest Journey', is set to officially begin on December 6, 2025, from the Stadio dei Marmi in Rome.
This extensive relay will span 63 days, covering an impressive 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles). It is designed to visit all 20 regions and 110 provinces of Italy, making 60 official stops and engaging 10,001 torchbearers. Key milestones along the route include:
- A stop in Naples for Christmas.
- Celebrating New Year's Eve in Bari.
- A return to Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 26, commemorating 70 years since it hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics.
The relay also plans to visit every World Heritage Site in Italy. The journey will culminate on February 6, 2026, at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, where the flame will light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Games are scheduled to run until February 22, 2026, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from March 6 to 15.
7 Comments
anubis
The extensive route through Italy will certainly boost tourism in many regions, which is positive for the economy. But it's important to ensure the benefits are widespread and not just concentrated in major stops, and that local residents aren't overly inconvenienced.
paracelsus
Can't wait for Milano Cortina 2026! The flame journey builds so much anticipation.
anubis
All that travel for a flame? What about the environmental carbon footprint of 12,000 km?
paracelsus
Celebrating the 70th anniversary in Cortina is a nice touch, connecting past and present. Yet, I wonder if a more localized, sustainable approach to the flame's journey could still achieve the same emotional impact without such extensive travel.
anubis
The Olympic flame ceremony is undeniably inspiring, bringing a sense of global unity. However, the commercialization surrounding such events often overshadows the true spirit of athleticism and sportsmanship.
Noir Black
Focusing on ancient rituals when there are so many pressing modern problems to address.
BuggaBoom
This is what the Olympics are all about: unity, history, and global celebration.