The Flame was brought into the Ceremony in a bowl. [Photo: IOC Media]
Tears for IOC President Coventry as Flame Begins Journey
by Philip Barker at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry shed a tear or two as the Olympic Flame for the Winter Game in Milano Cortina began from Ancient Olympia.
“These Games come at a critical part in our history, “Coventry told an audience including Thomas Bach, her predecessor as IOC President.
“I wasn’t supposed to get emotional but this place is very special and it is so special because in this divided world that we live in, these Games hold a truly symbolic place and it is our duty to ensure the athletes from around the world can come together peacefully and that they can inspire the dreams and hopes of those that are watching,” she added.
“As we light the Olympic Flame for Milano Cortina, we will carry this light from the past into the present and continue into the future. The Italian passion will inspire not just Italy but the world and the heartbeat of the Games will shine through every moment. The Flame we light today will carry not just the hopes of the athletes but the dreams of all of those who believe in the power of sport.”
It fell to High Priestess Mary Mina to light the torch of the first bearer, Paris 2024 lightweight double sculls rowing bronze medallist Petros Gaidatzis. He had been drafted in at the last minute after alpine skier AJ Ginnis was forced to withdraw with a leg injury.
The Flame had been kindled according to tradition from the rays of the sun two days before, but organisers had moved the official event inside for the first time in 58 years because of adverse weather forecasts. Heavy rain had fallen in Olympia over the previous 24 hours.
Gaidatzis ran past a detachment of the Evzones, the Greek President’s ceremonial guard and was soon joined by double Olympic cross country skiing champion Stefania Belmondo who had ignited the final cauldron the last time the Winter Olympics was staged on Italian soil almost 20 years ago in Torino. Together they ran to the memorial to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the first time two Torchbearers had done so together.
The Flame was passed on again, this time to double Olympic luge gold medalist Armin Zöggeler who carried it up steps inscribed with the Olympic values into the grounds of the international Olympic Academy.
“Standing here today, it is impossible not to feel the weight of history,” said Milano Cortina 2026 President Giovanni Malago as the Relay began. The Flame remains in Greece until December 4 before it is handed officially to the Games Organising Committee.
A 63-day journey across Italy is set to culminate in the San Siro Stadium on February 6.
In an historical curiosity, when Cortina d’Ampezzo last staged the Winter Olympics 70 years ago in 1956, the Torch Relay had also begun its journey indoors, although this Flame was lit at the Capitol building.
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