Milano Cortina 2026, the journey of the torch starts from the Stadio dei Marmi. Buonfiglio: the flame is a symbol of the desire to be leaders

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  • PALTRINIERI FIRST TORCHBEARER

From Athens to Rome, from the Panathinaiko to the Stadio dei Marmi. The solemn and historic journey of the flame of Milano Cortina 2026 has begun today. The Roman sun, a noble symbol, evokes the timeless memory of the 1960 Summer Olympics, connecting the past with an emotional, dream-filled present.

A brief ceremony at the Foro Italico marked the start of the relay, which will cover more than 12,000 kilometres and pass through 60 host cities and all 110 provinces over 63 days. The route will take in World Heritage sites and landscapes that are emblematic of the country. This journey will bind Italy to the significance of the event and its underlying values until the final stage at the San Siro Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The passing of the flame, a universal symbol of peace, unity and Olympic values, will inspire communities and young people alike, leaving behind a legacy that will help create a cohesive and inclusive society.

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio opened the emblematic event with a greeting: “It is a historic day, full of emotion. We are here in Rome, in a wonderful setting. There will be 10,001 torches, but one unique flame, which testifies to the passion and desire of an entire country to be in the spotlight. The Olympics are a boost to the country's image”.

The Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, emphasised the significance of the journey: “Life has given us the dream of living these Games. This fire represents our passion. Sport enlightens our lives. Our thoughts go out to the organising committee, and we would like to thank the 10,000 torchbearers”.

The President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, delivered the final institutional speech. “We are here thanks to Giulio Onesti and the Games he brought to Rome in 1960” he said. “This wonderful journey will visit all the UNESCO sites, which will generate great publicity for the country. This also has profound significance as a proud response to those who denied us the opportunity to compete with Rome for the right to host another summer Olympics. Sport teaches us to pick ourselves up and celebrate new achievements, such as this one, which brings us together in a magical dream”.

A central figure of the ceremony, which united different eras under the five rings, was Giancarlo Peris, the last torchbearer of the 1960 Rome Games. After 65 years, he carried the lantern containing the flame into the Stadio dei Marmi and passed it to Malagò, who lit the cauldron.

This emotional moment marked the start of the relay, which was inaugurated by Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri (pictured by Simone Ferraro), winner of one gold, two silver and two bronze Olympic medals. Paltrinieri ran the first official leg inside the Stadio dei Marmi, performing the Torch Kiss with the second torchbearer, Elisa Di Francisca, when the flame is passed between torchbearers. The Olympic fencer, winner of two gold and one silver foil fencing medal, completed her portion of the course before handing over to the third torchbearer: fellow Olympian Gianmarco Tamberi. After completing the third lap of the stadium, the winner of the gold medal in the high jump handed over the baton to basketball player Achille Polonara. The Azzurro basketball player then carried the torch out of the Stadio dei Marmi and began the relay through the streets of Rome.

The torch will visit all of the city's main sights as a tribute to the capital. The list of torchbearers includes many notable figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment, such as Matteo Berrettini, Gigi Datome, Andrea Bargnani, Max Biaggi, film director Giuseppe Tornatore, singers Achille Lauro and Noemi, actress Claudia Gerini, and fashion designer Lavinia Biagiotti.

It is planned to pass through St. Peter's Square (Vatican City), after which the flame will salute Castel Sant'Angelo. The shortened convoy will travel through the streets of Rome's historic centre, passing by the Pantheon. After the stop at the Gazometro, a facility in the Ostiense district owned by Eni, it will head to Piazza del Campidoglio, before passing the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum. A tribute to Italian cinema on a Vespa along Via Veneto will precede the last segment – at the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Montecitorio, Palazzo Chigi, Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso. The day will end at 7.30 pm with the lighting of the cauldron, a festive moment that will mark the culmination of activities in the Piazza del Popolo celebration. Olympic magic is set to conquer Italy.

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President Mattarella lights the cauldron on the Olympic flame's journey: “Let us revive hope for peace and progress”

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  • AT THE QUIRINALE

Amidst the spectacle of the Frecce Tricolori, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella ignited the cauldron of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic flame at Piazza del Quirinale. In the presence of Giorgia Meloni (President of the Council of Ministers), Ignazio La Russa (President of the Senate), Lorenzo Fontana (President of the Chamber of Deputies), Matteo Salvini (Minister of Infrastructure and Transport), Andrea Abodi (Minister for Sport and Youth), Kirsty Coventry (President of the IOC), Luciano Buonfiglio (President of CONI), Marco Giunio De Sanctis (President of the CIP), Giovanni Malagò (President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation), Attilio Fontana (President of the Lombardy Region), Giuseppe Sala (Mayor of Milan) and Gianluca Lorenzi (Mayor of Cortina), the Head of State signed an important document in the lead-up to the Winter Olympic Games, which are scheduled to take place from 6 to 22 February (photo: Simone Ferraro/CONI).

“The lighting of the Olympic flame marks the start of an exciting journey and embodies universal principles” said Mattarella. “The Olympic Games provide an opportunity for men and women to progress, encouraging solidarity while demanding an end to oppression based on ethnic origin. This message is conveyed by champions in every discipline and by young people who play sports. Now, more than ever, we feel the urgent need for friendship and peace among peoples. Italy has requested the renewal of the Olympic truce, and we hope that the two months leading up to the start of the Games will ease tensions further. The Olympic sign of peace will be clear and visible everywhere, and one of the greatest riches of sport is that its achievements become part of humanity's heritage. We received the baton from Beijing, and we will hand it over to France. In this era of change, there is a need for hope, and sport contains and transmits this precious value. With the courage to overcome our limits, we can achieve great things, and by lighting the torch, we revive hope for peace and future progress”.

“The Olympia week has been incredible and stirred up a lot of emotion in me” said Coventry. “Seeing the flame arrive in Rome was moving, thanks to the great energy of the Italian people. Every athlete recognises the values of creativity and courage in the power of sport, which transcends barriers and borders, embodying the true spirit of the Olympic Games and ensuring that the dreams of the younger generation are not discriminated against. Milano Cortina 2026 will be my first Olympic Games, and I hope they will be a great success for Italy, the athletes, and the entire Olympic movement. I hope that the Games will inspire the world, and that Italy's passion for them will shine through. As an athlete, I experienced this first-hand when I competed in the 2009 World Championships here in Rome, and to this day it remains one of the most memorable championships of my career. When the torch begins its journey through Italy, it will connect millions of Italians, from the Alps to Sicily and from the largest cities to the smallest villages. Each torchbearer will carry a part of the Italian spirit: your creativity, courage, cultural heritage, joy, and passion for life. The flame carries the hopes of the athletes and the dreams of everyone who believes in the power of sport. Before the ceremony, we had the opportunity to exchange a few words, during which we recognised the power of sport to break down barriers, build bridges and strengthen communities”.

In the afternoon, the flame was carried to the CONI Hall of Honour by Diana Bianchedi, Deputy Vice President of the Olympic Committee and Chief Strategy Planning & Legacy Officer of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. Everything is now ready for the journey of the Olympic flame, which will start from the Stadio dei Marmi.

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IOC President Kirsty Coventry receives the Onesti Prize: “A recognition that touches my heart”

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  • AT THE ACQUA ACETOSA CPO

This morning in Rome, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry received the Giulio Onesti Prize.  At the ceremony, which took place in the Sala Magna of the CONI Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre, the Onesti Foundation President, Franco Carraro, and the CONI President, Luciano Buonfiglio, were in attendance (photo: Roberto Di Tondo/CONI).

Having participated in the lighting ceremony of the Olympic brazier at Piazza Quirinale in anticipation of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, Coventry arrived at the Giulio Onesti Centre at Acqua Acetosa at around 12 noon to receive the award. “Rome has a special place in my heart. I remember the 2009 World Swimming Championships.  This award touches my heart. I am speechless; it is beautiful” said the IOC President, who won a gold medal and set a world record in the 200 metres backstroke at the 2009 event in Rome, as well as a silver medal in the 400 metres medley.

To honour the former Zimbabwean athlete's achievements, President Buonfiglio presented her with a painting based on a photograph taken at the 2009 World Championships in Rome. “I started my sporting career at this centre many years ago, when TV was still in black and white” recalled the CONI president.  “We have several things in common: we were both athletes, and now we are both directors. We share the same values, passion, vision and emotions.  I want to give you this small gift to mark this special occasion for us all”.

“Dear Kirsty, thank you for being with us. It is a fantastic day for Italian sport” said President Carraro, who then recalled the story of Giulio Onesti in his speech.  “We decided to award President Coventry because she is an Olympic and world champion. She has three children and was Minister of Sport in her country. Today, she has set a new record by being elected President of the IOC” concluded the honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.

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The Olympic flame welcomed by President of the Republic Mattarella at the Quirinale

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  • ARRIVAL IN ITALY

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, welcomed the Olympic flame of Milano Cortina 2026 to the Quirinale.

The reception ceremony took place in the afternoon in the Cortile d'Onore, against the backdrop of the glass pavilion. CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and Secretary General Carlo Mornati were in attendance (photo by Simone Ferraro/CONI).

This morning in Athens, the President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, received the torch through the ceremonial passing of the baton with Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

The Olympic symbol, returning to Italy 20 years after Turin 2006, was accompanied by the Italian delegation and Olympic athlete Jasmine Paolini. The transfer took place aboard an ITA Airways flight carrying an oil lantern.

Torcia scende da aereo

 

Also present were Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, Cortina's mayor, Gianluca Lorenzi, and MiCo 2026's CEO, Andrea Varnier.

The inauguration ceremony for the Olympic flame's journey will be held at the Quirinale tomorrow morning. On Saturday morning, the torch relay will begin at the Stadio dei Marmi and travel across the country, concluding on 6 February with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games at San Siro.

During its 63-day journey, the torch will make 60 stops for celebrations, covering 12,000 km across 110 provinces and over 300 municipalities.

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The Olympic flame in Italy 20 years on. The handover in Athens, in the afternoon ceremony at the Quirinale. Buonfiglio: the torch a symbol of unity

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  • MILANO CORTINA 2026

The Olympic flame returns to Italy. Twenty years after Turin 2006, the Olympic symbol shines in our country, bearing its universal significance and marking a key milestone in the lead-up to the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.

The Olympic flame handover ceremony took place at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece. The solemn marble of this elliptical structure, guardian of the Olympic tradition and its founding principles, provided the backdrop for the ceremonial passing of the torch to Giovanni Malagò, President of the MiCo 2026 Foundation.

Luciano Buonfiglio, the President of CONI, together with the Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, and the Deputy Vice-President, Diana Bianchedi, participated in the event. Among the attendees were the mayors of Milan and Cortina, Giuseppe Sala and Gianluca Lorenzi respectively, as well as the Italian Ambassador to Greece, Paolo Cuculi.

Two exceptional torchbearers, the Tricolour Olympians Jasmine Paolini (tennis) and Filippo Ganna (cycling), graced the arrival of the torch in the stadium. The lighting ceremony, meanwhile, was honoured by the contributions of Stefania Belmondo (cross-country skiing) and Armin Zoeggeler (luge).

The ceremony opened with a screening of the “Gymnastics for All – Wolves Team” show, choreographed by Olimpia Dragouni and accompanied by Hellenic singer Klavdia. This was followed by a performance by the choir of the Italian School of Athens in collaboration with the Tam Ballet Company of Milan. One hundred young dancers took part in this performance, which delighted those present and set the tone for the rest of the event.

The High Priestess Mary Mina lit the final torch to pass it into the hands of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos. After emphasising the importance of this annual event, which strengthens the connection to the roots of Olympism, the head of Greek sport handed the Olympic flame to Italy.

The President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, proudly took up the baton, emphasising its significance: “Today is a magical moment for all of us, as we prepare to bring the sacred Olympic flame back to Italian soil for the first time in twenty years. Standing here in this historic stadium reminds us of the honour bestowed upon us and the precious treasure we will take home. Italy is proud of its Olympic heritage, and of athletes such as Jasmine Paolini, Filippo Ganna, Stefania Belmondo and Armin Zoeggeler, who represented us on our journey to Greece in pursuit of excellence. We are ready to write the next chapter in history. In 1960, when Rome last hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I was just over a year old. That edition was dominated by the image of Ethiopian legend Abebe Bikila, who won the marathon barefoot under the Arch of Constantine, and the last torchbearer in that year's relay was another runner: Giancarlo Peris, a little-known 19-year-old athlete who had won the student cross-country championship in the province of Rome. He may not have been a world-famous champion, but Peris symbolised a vibrant and hopeful new era for Italy. And sixty-five years later, in Milano Cortina, we aim to harness that vibrant Italian spirit once again. It is through this spirit that we will inspire and unite the country and the world as we come together to celebrate the precious Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect".

CONI President Buonfiglio expressed his thoughts on the uniqueness of the event: “These are moments that we experience with great intensity. I think of all the work that has been done since the bid was submitted, the hundreds of people working on it and all those committed to ensuring that our country makes a good impression: the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, CONI, the government, the regions, the municipalities, the volunteers, and the torch that will travel throughout Italy from today. I would like this torch to bring us all closer together and make us more united in our support for our country, especially when we are abroad. We realise how much we are appreciated, but sometimes we don't say it. Every now and then, it would be nice to be proud of what we are doing. Facilities? We do not live on good deeds alone, but also on legacy. This journey must demonstrate that Italy wants to achieve many great things for its cities, its citizens, its girls and its boys, without distinction between the Olympic and Paralympic worlds. The dream is to start a plan for sports infrastructure and facilities because sports clubs have done so much for Italian sport in recent years and deserve to remain the focus of the government and the Ministry of Sport. Sport produces well-being and a healthy lifestyle and sets an example for how we should behave on a daily basis”.

The flame is expected to arrive at the Quirinale at 6 p.m., where it will be welcomed by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, at the Vetrata del Cortile d'Onore.

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Milano Cortina 2026: Olympic flame lit in Olympia. Buonfiglio: “A special emotion”

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  • OLYMPIC GAMES

The sacred fire of Olympia now burns once more, lighting the path towards Milano Cortina 2026. The flame-lighting ceremony for the Winter Olympic Games, scheduled from 6 to 22 February next year, was held at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, birthplace of the five rings.

The event opened with the national anthems of the Olympic Movement, Italy and Greece, performed by the children’s choir of the Italian School of Athens, and was attended by leading institutional and sporting figures. CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio took part in the solemn ritual alongside Deputy Vice President Diana Bianchedi – who also serves as Chief Strategy Planning & Legacy Officer of MICO2026. Also in attendance were the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, IOC Members Ivo Ferriani and Federica Pellegrini, IOC Honorary Member Francesco Ricci Bitti and representatives of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation.

In his welcome address, Aristides Panagiotopoulos, Mayor of Ancient Olympia, greeted the large gathering of officials by recalling the timeless values that define the world’s foremost sporting event – unity, peace and brotherhood.

Giovanni Malagò, IOC Member and President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, highlighted how “the Italian spirit will shine through the flame of the torch, lighting up the whole of Italy and uniting the world in the common purpose at the heart of Milano Cortina: harnessing the enduring power of the Olympic Games to create new opportunities for younger generations through sport. It will be a privilege to bring the torch once more along the banks of the River Tiber and return it to Rome, retracing the route of twenty years ago during the Torino 2006 Games. Every step will remind us of the power of sport to break down barriers and help build a more sustainable future together”.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, visibly moved as she attended her first Olympic flame-lighting ceremony in her new role, added: “I shouldn’t be emotional, but this place is special. In a world as divided as ours, the Games provide a symbolic moment, and it is our duty and responsibility to ensure that athletes from across the globe can come together peacefully, inspiring the hopes and dreams of those who follow us. This is the Olympic spirit – upholding the values that guide us”.

The address by Hellenic Olympic Committee President Isidoros Kouvelos paved the way to the ceremony’s most anticipated moment. The Olympic flame – lit days earlier at the Temple of Hera using the sun’s rays according to the ancient ritual – entered the Museum in the hands of High Priestess Mary Mina and her fellow Priestesses, before being passed to the first torchbearer, Petros Gkaidatzis, bronze medallist in the lightweight double sculls at Paris 2024.

Gkaidatzis then shared the torch with Stefania Belmondo outside the Archaeological Museum. Italy was represented by the cross-country skiing Olympic champion and by Armin Zoeggeler, the legendary six-time Olympic medallist in luge, who became the third torchbearer and launched the nine-day Greek relay. Covering roughly 2,200 km and seven regions, the final torchbearer will be Aikaterini Oikonomopoulou, silver medallist in women’s water polo at Athens 2004.

At the close of the ceremony, President Buonfiglio expressed his pride: “When I was elected President of CONI on 26 June, I never imagined I would experience emotions like these. It is an extraordinary privilege to be here today, where the Games were born 2,800 years ago, and to take part once again in the consecration of what the Olympic torch and the Olympic Movement truly represent. I will also have the honour of being a torchbearer in Milan, on the very day of the Opening Ceremony. It’s a flood of emotions, and it reminds me of the responsibility we have taken on – but I’m reassured because the team around me, the federation presidents and the entire sporting community, stand united. With the support of the Secretary General’s staff, our communications and organisational teams, we will play a leading role in these Games, which will once again place Italy at the centre of the world. My dream is for all Italians to cheer for our athletes. It’s a demanding competition, and such a remarkable organisation deserves great success. Italians must make their warmth felt. My dream is for Italy to embrace our Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Belmondo and Zoeggeler? They are legends, and I’m delighted that my choice was shared by everyone. In Athens we’ll have two more icons of Italian sport, and I’m sure they will inspire great enthusiasm”.

There was also a light-hearted moment with IOC Member Federica Pellegrini, who teased him: “Are you worried after seeing how fast the torchbearers had to run today?”. To which Buonfiglio replied: “I had trained for a four-minute stretch,” prompting Pellegrini to laugh and say: “We’ll have to extend that, President”.

CONI is currently represented in Greece by Alessio Boggiatto, world champion in the 400m individual medley at Fukuoka 2001 and winner of 11 European medals. From 1 December, he will be succeeded by Elisa Santoni, multiple Olympic medallist and world champion in rhythmic gymnastics.

The visit to Greece will conclude on 4 December 2025 in Athens, with the Handover Ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium, where a delegation from the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee will officially receive the Olympic flame and bring it to Italy that same day.

The flame will arrive in Rome on the afternoon of 4 December and, two days later, begin a 63-day journey covering 12,000 km across 110 provinces and more than 300 municipalities. The route will culminate in Milan on the evening of 6 February 2026, with the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium.

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Olympic Truce declaration signed in Olympia. Coventry: "Young people must be allowed to dream"

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  • IN THE MUSEUM OF THE GAMES

The Museum of the Modern Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece, this afternoon hosted the ceremony for the declaration of the Olympic Truce – a high-profile institutional event, held in the cradle of the Games, to reaffirm the universal significance of the five rings as a language of peace.

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio attended alongside Deputy Vice President Diana Bianchedi – who also serves as Chief Strategy Planning & Legacy Officer for MICO2026 – just hours before the Olympic Flame is lit.

Also present were IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Italy’s Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation Giovanni Malagò, IOC Members Ivo Ferriani and Federica Pellegrini, Honorary Member Francesco Ricci Bitti, and Italy’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Paolo Cuculli.

The ceremony was promoted by the mayors of the Greek municipalities of Archaia Olympia, Ilida and Sparta, together with the International Olympic Truce Centre.

Inspired by the ritual calling for a truce, first established in Ancient Greece, the mayors issued an appeal for “weapons to be laid down and hostilities to cease across the globe for the entire period from the seventh day before the start of the XXV Olympic Winter Games until the seventh day after the conclusion of the XIV Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, as set out in the United Nations resolution”.

The Olympic Truce declaration was signed by Coventry, Abodi, Malagò and Buonfiglio, as well as by Ambassador Cuculli. “Greece has a special place in my heart, because it was here that I became an Olympic champion for the first time, and it feels almost surreal to be back now,” Coventry stressed, adding: “In a world that can sometimes seem so sad and divided, it is vital that there is still room for young people to dream and to realise what they are capable of – and that makes what we are doing here today all the more important”.

Tregua Olimpica

Milano Cortina 2026 unveils the complete route of the Olympic Torch Relay

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  • FROM ROME TO SAN SIRO

The complete route of the Olympic Torch Relay has been unveiled, an itinerary that will cross Italy from 6 December 2025 to 6 February 2026, showing the world its timeless beauty. In addition to the 60 celebration cities along the route, more than 300 municipalities have also been announced that will welcome the Flame along its 12,000 km journey: a unique mosaic of territories, stories and communities that, stage after stage, will give life to a widespread national celebration. 

The Relay will begin on 26 November 2025 with the lighting of the Olympic Flame in Olympia, a symbolic place of the Olympic tradition. On 4 December, in Athens, the Flame will be handed over to Italy, a solemn moment marking the start of the journey towards the Olympic Winter Games of Milano Cortina 2026. Immediately afterwards, the Flame will arrive in Rome, from where, on 6 December, the Olympic Torch Relay will officially set off: a route that will cross every Italian region, illuminating cities of art, villages, places of shared memory, and landscapes recognised around the world. 

"Every step of the Relay through our cities will remind the world of the power of sport to build bridges and break down barriers," says Giovanni Malagò, President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. "It will be a journey that weaves roots and future, hospitality and innovation, celebrating the essence of Italy".

Accompanying the Flame will be the two Presenting Partners of the Olympic Torch Relay: Coca-Cola and Eni, who will enhance each stage with special activations, helping to make the Relay an even more engaging experience. Iconic places, collective memory and a journey into the heart of Italy

An impressive organisational effort, the result of more than two years of planning, will accompany a convoy nearly 200 metres long, moving at around 4 km/h. Each day will begin at 7.30 a.m. with the departure of the convoy and conclude around 7.30 p.m. with the lighting of the cauldron in the final city of the day during the city celebration, a festive and participatory moment for local communities.

From the Colosseo to the Fontana di Trevi, from Duomo di Milano to the Grand Canal in Venezia, the Flame will pass by symbols of Italy’s cultural heritage, alongside places that embody resilience and renewal, such as Amatrice and the Scampia district.

"The route has been designed to highlight the country's most evocative landscapes and the stories of talent, courage and solidarity that bring them to life," emphasises Maria Laura Iascone, Director of Ceremonies at Fondazione. "It is a journey that celebrates creativity and inclusion, the very values the Games bring to the world".

The Flame will be in Naples for Christmas, ring in the New Year in Bari, and return to Cortina D’Ampezzo on 26 January 2026 – exactly 70 years after the Opening Ceremony of the 1956 Games, before concluding its journey in Milan, entering San Siro on the evening of 6 February 2026.

The Relay will also feature extraordinary highlights along the route:
• The ascent to Punta Gnifetti on Monte Rosa (4,554 metres)
• A visit to the Marmore Falls
• The magic of the Amalfi Coast illuminated by the torchbearers
• A passage along the Grand Canal in Venice

Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia and Maserati to feature with a fleet of around 3,000 vehicles at Milano Cortina 2026 as Automotive Premium Partner

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  • WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

With a fleet of approximately 3,000 vehicles, Stellantis – through its Italian brands Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia and Maserati – will serve as the Automotive Premium Partner of the XXV Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The global sporting event, which will open in Milan on 6 February 2026 at the San Siro Stadium, will bring together around 3,500 athletes from all over the world. The Closing Ceremony will take place on 22 February 2026 at the Verona Arena, followed by the Paralympic Games from 6 to 15 March.

The partnership agreement was presented at the CONI headquarters in Rome by John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, and Olivier François, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Stellantis and CEO of FIAT, together with Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI; Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation; Marco Giunio De Sanctis, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee; Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation; and Federico Mollicone, Chair of the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on Culture, Science and Education (photo Roberto Di Tondo/CONI).

For the Italian brands of Stellantis, this partnership represents far more than sponsorship: it is a concrete act of support for the Olympic mission and a tribute to Italian excellence, to its values and to its strategic role on the international stage.

“Stellantis,” emphasised Chairman John Elkann, “will stand alongside the athletes, institutions and communities of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Through our tangible commitment to the country and to sport, we are proud and delighted to support Italy as it takes centre stage at the world’s greatest sporting event: the Olympic Games”. The partnership with Milano Cortina 2026 forms part of a broader programme to reconnect with local communities and enhance the unique heritage of the Group’s Italian brands, which are now placed at the service of sport and its core values: inclusion, determination, respect and sustainability. These values are deeply shared with the Olympic Movement and today guide the Company’s strategic choices.

To support the mobility needs of the Games, Stellantis will provide around 3,000 vehicles – over half of them electrified – for athletes, volunteers, staff and federations, who will travel across the extensive territories of these “diffused” Games aboard Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Fiat Professional, Abarth, Lancia and Maserati models. The brands will play a prominent role at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games through association with specific sports and athletes, and several will release special editions featuring celebratory Olympic branding.

FIAT will mark the partnership with a special series for the Italian market that embodies the Olympic spirit and Italy’s genuine passion for sport. Distinguished by unique details and a commemorative badge, the new Fiat 600 Sport Milano Cortina 2026 Edition – available in electric and hybrid versions with 145 hp and 110 hp automatic transmission – features a sporty exterior and contemporary interiors, offering the perfect balance of Italian style, grit and functionality.

Abarth will unveil the 600e Competizione Milano Cortina 2026 Edition, an ultra-limited run of only 50 units reserved exclusively for the Italian market. A pure sports car with no compromises: 280 hp, lightning-fast acceleration and cutting-edge technologies for an exhilarating driving experience.

Alfa Romeo – which expresses passion and competitiveness in the most demanding disciplines – will celebrate the partnership with special Milano Cortina 2026 Editions of the Junior and Tonale. Both models will showcase the brand’s sporting attitude through exclusive styling details and premium materials, delivering refined aesthetics and comprehensive equipment that firmly position them within the premium segment.

Lancia will present the Ypsilon Milano Cortina 2026 Edition in HF Line configuration, which transfers the HF spirit and stylistic language to the hybrid powertrain while preserving the unmistakable identity of the iconic marque. During the Olympic Games, the Lancia fleet will bear both the Olympic and Paralympic celebratory logos, placed alongside the HF acronym and the historic Elephant emblem, symbols of Lancia’s sporting heritage.

Maserati will showcase its dedication to performance and Italian luxury in the most iconic and institutional moments of the Olympic Games. As Automotive Premium Partner, the Trident brand will embody the Olympic values of tradition, competition and prestige with an exclusive and distinctive presence, while celebrating the spirit of the Games through elegance, power and innovation.

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio stated: “We have the honour and responsibility of representing our country on the world stage, with the capability and passion that reflect our tricolour history and the credibility of the Italian National Olympic Committee, which has become a model of reference thanks to the results achieved and the heritage we safeguard. We are proud to renew our commitment to pursuing new and ambitious goals, strengthened by a partnership that embodies the pride and strength of Made in Italy through the agreement signed by Stellantis with the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, becoming Automotive Premium Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as well as an official partner of our Olympic team through its Italian brands. This agreement expresses the enduring power of the identity roots represented by this extraordinary company, in continuity with past experiences and thanks to that sense of belonging that unites all parties involved. It is a legacy that enables us to convey a message combining innovation with indispensable added value. Stellantis takes up the baton honoured by FIAT at every Olympic edition hosted in Italy – from Cortina 1956 to Rome 1960 and Turin 2006 – in the tradition of a natural synergy that becomes a precious bridge between past, present and future, a hallmark recognised worldwide, projecting the ambitions we share. It does so by deploying iconic brands that have marked the history of the automobile – Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia and Maserati – all fully aligned with the genetic code and guiding principles of this exceptional challenge. Milano Cortina 2026 will be the fourth Olympic chapter ever held in our country and a historic event thanks to its unique features: the first Games spread across multiple territories, with dual naming and a concept designed to concretely translate the principles of the IOC’s Agenda 2020 and ‘New Norm’ reforms. It will be a visionary edition, defined by sustainability, efficiency and the creation of a tangible, long-lasting legacy. Spreading the spirit of the event is a duty to be fulfilled with responsibility and passion, thanks to the contribution of every individual involved. We believe in the importance of respect, inclusion and universal fraternity – the inviolable paradigm of the movement in its purest sense and the guiding star capable of bridging every distance through the language of peace, to build a more united society and a better world. Stellantis, the Organising Committee and CONI share the same vision, giving voice to the true essence of sport and to the ideals that Milano Cortina seeks to promote. The agreement presented today continues a path that encompasses the profound meaning of our know-how and our vision, through which we aim to inspire future generations. We are certain that Stellantis will ‘guide’ us with pride and confidence on this unforgettable journey, writing yet another chapter of success. United, together, raising the tricolour towards a future of pride, innovation and victory”.

“Being a partner of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a tremendous source of pride for us. We want to leave our mark – like a trail in the snow or on asphalt: a distinctly Italian mark, made of passion, innovation and team spirit” said Olivier François, Chief Marketing Officer, Stellantis.

The initiative also marks a return home: twenty years after Turin 2006, Stellantis will renew its commitment to local communities through various initiatives. These include artistic installations celebrating Italian brands and their vehicles in Milan and at the main Olympic venues; the passage of the Olympic flame inside several Italian plants with the involvement of employees (120 of whom will be torchbearers during the entire Torch Relay) and their families; and celebrations in four Italian cities hosting the relay. The Olympic Games’ branding will also feature prominently in the festivities. This partnership is a showcase of Italian creativity and design, a reminder of fundamental values such as pride, determination, discipline and the pursuit of excellence. These are the values of the Italian spirit of Milano Cortina 2026; they are the values of Stellantis. When Italy gives its best, it is always a remarkable spectacle.

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Collari d'Oro 2025 awarded, President Buonfiglio: “Italy a leading player on the world stage through a great team effort”

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  • AT FORO ITALICO

A great day of celebration for this year’s sporting successes, with the spotlight on next year’s Winter Olympic Games. At the Casa delle Armi in the Foro Italico, Rome, the 2025 Collari d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collars for Sporting Merit) ceremony took place — the highest honour in Italian sport — broadcast live on Rai 2. The awards celebrated Olympic and Paralympic athletes who have won one or more world titles this year (some of whom will compete at Milano Cortina 2026), as well as coaches, sports clubs and individuals who have distinguished themselves throughout 2025 (photos by Luca Pagliaricci and Roberto Di Tondo/CONI).

The event was attended by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, CIP President Marco Giunio De Sanctis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, and Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi.
Also present were numerous presidents of National Federations, Associated Sports Disciplines and Sports Promotion Bodies, together with representatives from across the Italian sporting world and from the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, led by former CONI President and IOC Member Giovanni Malagò. Among those at the Foro Italico were also IOC Honorary Members Franco Carraro, Mario Pescante, Manuela Di Centa, and Francesco Ricci Bitti (Honour Member).

Opening the ceremony, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio remarked: “This is the most important ceremony of all — one that recognises the value of those who have stood out and made a difference. We are honouring outstanding women and men athletes. But no one wins alone: these awards are also for families, clubs, coaches, CONI’s Olympic Preparation Department, and CONI’s Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. We will continue to support the Federations. We are world leaders — once again, the Italian flag has flown high on podiums and our national anthem has resounded across the globe. It’s not just about winning medals, but about highlighting the importance of a country that is increasingly a key player worldwide, thanks to a great team effort. Everyone has a role to play — the medals belong to everyone. And when we fall short, we must understand why and return to winning ways through synergy, harmony, cooperation and a willingness to listen. It is crucial to work in full harmony with the government, with Sport e Salute, and among all our sporting bodies, DSA, EPS, military sports groups and the CIP. It’s a demanding journey: even in the post-Olympic year, we remain near the top of the medal table, among the world’s best. We must keep investing in facilities, initiatives and research. We are working towards results that will make us proud. Best of luck to all the athletes who will compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games”.

CIP President Marco Giunio De Sanctis then addressed the audience: “We are celebrating the greatest Olympic and Paralympic athletes — together. Together is the way forward: CONI and CIP must move in step. This is an extraordinary moment in history; in February, we will host both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Turin 2006 was a major cultural success, and now we must not neglect promotion and grassroots development, which are essential for elite sport. For athletes with disabilities, starting out can be very difficult; sports facilities are vital. I wish the very best to Italian sport”.

Later, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi added: “It’s always a pleasure to attend this important event each year, with renewed enthusiasm. The Collari d’Oro are an award of great solemnity. The presence of Ministers here today demonstrates the government’s clear commitment to sport. The boys and girls taking part in the Youth Games will look with admiration at the athletes who will compete at Milano Cortina 2026.
I would like to remember Mattia Debertolis and Matteo Franzoso, two wonderful athletes who are no longer with us. The issue of safety must coexist with sport. Life is the most precious thing we have been given — it is the most important medal, the Collare d’Oro par excellence. Sport makes life and respect for life its guiding principles.
I also want to express my gratitude and recognition to the men and women working on the Olympic construction sites: on 6 February, we will be ready thanks to their dedication. Italy will be at the centre of the world — it is an honour. And next year, we will also host the Mediterranean Games in Taranto. The spirit of sport is based on sharing, and it is always right to celebrate it”.

During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani said: “Every victory means promoting Italy, enhancing the country’s image abroad. Athletes are an essential instrument for that. And behind the athletes stands the business world. Sport is a great driver of national growth”.

Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi expressed that he was “very proud of our athletes, their achievements, and the opportunities they bring us” while Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti also congratulated all the awardees.

Autorita ai Collari

COLLARI D’ORO (Golden Collars)

Francesca Lollobrigida (speed skating, world champion 5,000 m)

Stefania Constantini (curling, mixed doubles world champion)

Roland Fischnaller (snowboard, parallel giant slalom world champion)

Michela Moioli (snowboard cross world champion)

Flora Tabanelli (freestyle skiing, big air world champion)

Alice Bellandi (judo, world champion –78 kg)

Assunta Scutto (judo, world champion –48 kg)

Luca Curatoli, Michele Gallo, Matteo Neri, Pietro Torre (fencing, men’s sabre world champions, team)

Guillaume Bianchi, Alessio Foconi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini (fencing, men’s foil world champions, team)

Simone Cerasuolo (swimming, 50 m breaststroke world champion)

Vittoria Bussi (track cycling, world hour record holder)

Elisa Longo Borghini (road cycling, Giro d’Italia winner)

Martina Alzini, Martina Fidanza, Vittoria Guazzini, Federica Venturelli (track cycling, team pursuit world champions)

Yasmina Akrari, Ekaterina Antropova, Carlotta Cambi, Stella Nervini, Loveth Omoruyi, Gaia Giovannini (women’s volleyball world champions)

Simone Anzani, Simone Giannelli, Luca Porro, Roberto Russo, Francesco Sani (men’s volleyball world champions)

Tyra Caterina Grant (tennis, Billie Jean King Cup winner with the National Team)

Mattia Furlani (athletics, long jump world champion)

Luca Chiumento, Giacomo Gentili, Andrea Panizza, Luca Rambaldi (rowing, quadruple sculls world champions)

Riccardo Pianosi (sailing, formula kite world champion)

Massimo Fabbrizi, Alessia Iezzi (shooting, mixed team trap world champions)

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