Overview
- The president ignited the cauldron at 11:18 in Rome’s Piazza del Quirinale, formally setting the flame on its journey toward the February 6, 2026 opening in Milan.
- In his address, Sergio Mattarella called for the Olympic truce to be renewed and for aggressions and barbarity to stop, with organizers noting the UN resolution passed with broad support, including Russia.
- IOC president Kirsty Coventry attended and said the flame embodies the Olympic spirit that connects people across generations without discrimination.
- The relay will cover about 12,000 kilometers over 63 days across all 20 regions, hundreds of towns and UNESCO sites, involving 10,001 torchbearers before reaching Milan’s Stadio Meazza.
- Rome hosts kickoff events at the Stadio dei Marmi, including a Friday concert and Saturday’s first legs led by swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri, after a flyover by the Frecce Tricolori and a performance by the interforces band.