Olympic Flame for Milan–Cortina 2026 Lit in Olympia After Ceremony Moves Indoors

The torch now starts a Greek leg before a nationwide Italian tour to spotlight UNESCO sites and sustainability.

Overview

Rain made the traditional Temple of Hera sun-lighting impossible, so the ceremony was held in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Greek actress Mary Mina presided over the ritual and presented the newly lit flame to the first torchbearer.
Rower Petros Gkaidatzis began the relay after AJ Ginnis withdrew with an injury, followed by Italian greats Stefania Belmondo and Armin Zoggeler.
Organisers unveiled the ‘Essenziale’ torch, a minimal-design piece made from recycled aluminum and brass that weighs 1,060 grams.
The relay runs nine days in Greece with a Dec. 4 handover in Athens, then crosses Italy from Dec. 6 with 10,001 bearers over 63 days and 12,000 km, visiting UNESCO sites before the Feb. 6–22 Winter Games.