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Olympic Flame Lighting for Milano–Cortina 2026 Moved Indoors in Olympia Due to Rain

A reserve flame from a sunny rehearsal will keep the tradition intact.

Overview

  • The Hellenic Olympic Committee confirmed the ceremony’s relocation to the Olympia Archaeological Museum, marking the first indoor move in decades.
  • An emergency rehearsal in Ancient Olympia produced a backup flame with a parabolic mirror that will be used if clouds prevent ignition on the day.
  • Organizers have been tracking conditions with the Greek Meteorological Service, relaying updates every two hours to time proceedings.
  • IOC president Kirsty Coventry will attend, and Greece’s Petros Gaidatzis will be the first torchbearer after AJ Ginnis was sidelined by injury.
  • Following a week-long Greek leg and a Dec. 4 handover in Athens, a 63-day, 12,000-kilometer Italian relay will begin using the recycled-aluminum Essenziale torch through cities including Rome, Venice and Pompeii.