The Olympic flashlight is on its way, Giovanni Malagò celebrates Italy and sport
In Athens, Milan Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malagò reflected on the symbolism of the flame and Italy’s role as the next host country. “The Italian spirit will shine in the flame of the flashlight, involving all of Italy and uniting the world in the common goal that is at the heart of Milano Cortina – he said -: to use the timeless power of the Olympic Games to create new opportunities for the younger generations through sport. Every step that I and the thousands of torchbearers will take over the next 10 weeks will remind the world of the power of sport to build bridges, break down barriers and create a healthier and more sustainable future together”.
Each Olympic flashlight relay has its own story, with a theme and journey celebrating the culture, history and people of the host country – igniting the spirit of the Games long before the first competitions begin. Called “The Greatest Journey” by the Milan Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee, this relay will travel the length of Italy – illuminating the spirit of the nation, uniting communities and celebrating Italian culture and Olympic values. Over 63 days, the relay will travel 12,000 kilometers, visiting all 20 Italian regions and 110 provinces, passing through 60 UNESC World Heritage Sites, before reaching Milan for the Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026.
In line with Milan Cortina 2026’s sustainability commitments, the Olympic flashlight will burn bioGPL produced from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, and each flashlight can be reused and recharged up to 10 times. The Olympic flame is currently traveling through Greece on its way to Athens, where the official handover ceremony will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium on December 4. It will then leave for Italy, spending Dec. 5 in Rome before the start of the Italian section of the relay on Dec. 6. The first flame for the Winter Olympic Games was lit in Norway, for Oslo 1952, followed by Rome for Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956, and again in Norway for Squaw Valley 1960.
