Milan: The Olympic flame for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games will be ignited on Wednesday in ancient Olympia, Greece — but at an unexpected location following a last-minute change prompted by adverse weather conditions.
Traditionally, the flame-lighting ritual is held at the historic ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, near the ancient stadium where the Olympic Games were first born in 776 BC. However, organisers announced that poor weather has forced the ceremony indoors to the Olympia Archaeological Museum, home to some of Greece’s most treasured classical masterpieces, including Praxiteles’ renowned Hermes and the Infant Dionysus.
Greek rowing star and Paris 2024 bronze medallist, Petros Gaidatzis, will have the honour of being the first torchbearer, replacing Greek-American alpine skier AJ Ginnis, who withdrew after a training injury last week.
The ceremony will also mark the first appearance of newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry, who took office in March. Coventry is attending the traditional flame ignition as the head of the International Olympic Committee for the first time.
Among the early torchbearers during the Greek leg of the relay are former Italian icons Stefania Belmondo, a cross-country skiing legend, and luge great Armin Zoeggeler, organisers confirmed.
After the flame is lit, it will travel to Athens for the official handover at the Panathenaic Stadium on 4 December — the historic venue where the first modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896. From there, the flame will embark on a 63-day journey across Italy.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled from 6–22 February, mark Italy’s third time hosting the Winter Games and the first event held in Western Europe since Turin 2006. Events will span a wide geographical area, stretching from Milan to the spectacular Dolomite Mountains in the country’s northeast. The Paralympic Winter Games will follow from 6–15 March.
