The Torch began its journey from the Acropolis. [Photo: HOC / Eurokinissi]
Milano Cortina Flame in Italian Hands
By Philip Barker
Milano Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malago has promised an “incredible 63-day adventure,” as he formally received the Olympic Flame in Athens. “As the Olympic Flame makes its way, it will carry a message of unity and resilience that will transcend borders and generations,” he said.
“We aim to honour the vibrant Italian spirit through this period we will inspire the country and the world.”
The Handover Ceremony had been shortened after warnings from the Greek meteorological office to “Be prepared for severe thunderstorms causing significant impact.”
The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) decided to shorten the Ceremony “in order to ensure safety and minimize risks for all participants involved in the Ceremony.”
Just as Lady Gaga’s performance at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony had been, the song by Klavdia and the display by gymnasts were also recorded earlier and shown on the big screen.
The Flame had been brought from the Acropolis Hill in a final stage begun by canoeist Stefanos Dimopoulos who won his C-1 1000m world championship silver medal in, of all places, Milan.
At the Panathenaic Stadium, freestyle wrestler Georgios Kougioumtsidis who won gold at the 2025 World Championships handed over to Italy’s women’s doubles tennis gold medallist from Paris, Jasmine Paolini. Then 2020 Olympic team pursuit champion Filippo Ganna carried the Torch before passing to water polo star Xeni Xenaki. She was escorted by world championship winning teammates as she approached the cauldron.
It was an echo of the scene at the Paris Handover when the men’s team which won silver at the Tokyo Games had provided an escort for Ioannis Fountoulis.
The High Priestess Mary Mina ignited a Torch from the Flame and it fell to HOC President Isidoros Kouvelos to entrust the Flame to Milano Cortina.
“May this Flame remind us that borders are lines on maps not on human hearts,” he said. “It has crossed our mountains and valleys and narrow streets from hand to hand runner to runner, the Flame has lit faces, it has lit memories, it has lit dreams. It has recognised a deep human need to be together. Until now it has spoken in the language of Greece of the people who stood in the rain and under the sun to see the Flame pass for an instant. From this moment forward, it will speak in the language of Italy,” he added.
May this flame run through Italy as it ran through Greece, may it bring Italians out into our streets to cheer not only their own champions, but all athletes who carry the same fire in their hearts.
To the athletes preparing for Milano Cortina, as this Flame travels through Italy, may you feel it travelling through your own lives as well.
The Winter Games demand courage, precision and discipline.
From tonight this story belongs to you.”
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