Olympic Flame Lit in Ancient Olympia as Milano Cortina 2026 Torch Relay Begins
The Olympic flame for Milano Cortina 2026 was lit in Ancient Olympia, marking the beginning of the Olympic Torch Relay. The ceremony was attended by International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine An. Tassoulas.
Ceremony and Attendance
The event took place at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and was hosted by Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. A number of guests were present, including IOC President Kirsty Coventry and Greece’s Head of State, President Constantine An. Tassoulas.
Flame Lighting and Torchbearers
Due to the wet weather forecast, the flame was ignited using sunlight during a rehearsal on Monday to maintain the traditional method. This flame was transferred to the official Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic torch during the ceremony. Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in rowing Petros Gkaidatzis began the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay as the first torchbearer. He was joined by the first Italian torchbearer, two-time Olympic champion Stefania Belmondo, before she passed the flame to Armin Zoeggeler, also a double Olympic champion.
Upcoming Stages of the Relay
The flame will be handed over to the Milano Cortina 2026 organisers in Athens on 4 December. It will then be in Rome on 5 December ahead of the start of the Italian leg of the Olympic Torch Relay on 6 December.
Remarks from IOC President Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Coventry highlighted the meaning of the moment, stating that the ceremony reflects the values of the Games, including unity, peaceful competition, friendship, and respect. She noted that the flame symbolises a link between the past, present, and future, and referred to the importance of the Olympic Truce and the hope for a brighter shared future.
She added that the Games take place during an important period in history and that, amid global divisions, the event holds symbolic significance. She emphasised the responsibility to support athletes coming together peacefully and inspiring dreams and hopes among audiences worldwide.