The Olympic flame for Milan Cortina 2026 arrived in Rome, initiating a nationwide torch relay across Italy. The flame, carried in a lantern and flown on an ITA Airways flight, was welcomed by tennis star Jasmine Paolini and organizing committee president Giovanni Malagò, marking the start of a 63-day, 12,000-kilometer journey through all 110 Italian provinces. The relay culminates at Milan’s San Siro Stadium ahead of the February 6 opening ceremony.
In Greece, the flame was handed over before its arrival in Rome, where the formal welcome set the stage for a ceremonial sequence that will travel the length of the country. On Friday, the flame is expected to light a cauldron at the Quirinale Palace in the presence of President Sergio Mattarella and IOC president Kirsty Coventry, underscoring the event’s national significance.
The extensive relay will traverse all 110 provinces, engaging communities and spotlighting regional culture as part of the build-up to the Milan-Cortina Games. This expansive route is designed to galvanize public interest and showcase Italy’s diverse landscape in the lead-up to the Winter Games.
