Overview
- Olympic swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri opened the relay at Rome’s Stadio dei Marmi before passing the flame to fencer Elisa Di Francisca and high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi.
- The Rome stage crosses St Peter’s Square, the Pantheon, the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum, with the first day ending at Piazza del Popolo.
- The relay will span 63 days, cover 12,000 kilometres and visit more than 300 cities before arriving in Milan on 5 February, one day before the 6 February opening at San Siro.
- At the flame’s arrival ceremony on Friday, President Sergio Mattarella urged an Olympic truce, with IOC president Kirsty Coventry highlighting the Games’ message of peace.
- Organisers emphasize reliance on existing venues across seven northern sites, as CEO Andrea Varnier acknowledged remaining preparations and said Milan’s Santa Giulia hockey arena is now expected in January.