The torches of Milano Cortina 2026, which will ignite anticipation and enthusiasm for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, were revealed today in two simultaneous events at the Triennale di Milano and at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Four exceptional athletes — true icons who have written indelible pages in the history of the Games — presented the torches: Olympic Champion and the last torchbearer at the Olympic Winter Games Torino 2006 Stefania Belmondo and Paralympic Champion Bebe Vio in Milano; Paralympic Champion Martina Caironi and Carolina Kostner, bronze medallist at the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, in Osaka.

The Milano Cortina 2026 torches have been named “Essential”, a tribute to their minimalist design and were developed by Eni, Premium Partner of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in collaboration with Versalis (Eni), Official Supporter of the Games. The two versions of the torch – one for the Olympic Winter Games and the other for the Paralympic Winter Games – both feature a reflective, iridescent finish but differ in colour. The Olympic torch in blue-green hues, the Paralympic torch in bronze tones. Eni and Versalis entrusted the design development to Studio Carlo Ratti Associati, while Cavagna Group is responsible for the engineering and production of the Torch and its components.

Their simple form enhances the centrality of the flame, striking a perfect balance between technology, innovation and sustainability. Essential is a tribute to the excellence of Italian design. Every detail has been carefully crafted to express the strength and determination of athletes, as well as their ability to bring people together through sport Each torch is more than just an object; it is an icon, a fundamental part of the story that Milano Cortina 2026 aims to write, and the legacy it seeks to leave to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. The torches play a special role as they carry the Flame—a light that shines within every athlete, illuminating the path toward a future of peace and global solidarity. The torch is the guardian of the Flame, a powerful symbol passed from hand to hand, bringing together people from all walks of life in one extraordinary journey. It is a traditionally iconic object, a witness to timeless values, telling the story of the Games and the identity of the Host Country.

As timeless icons, the torches preserve the legacy of the Games and reflect the identity of the host country. The two torches will be showcased at the Italia Pavilion throughout Expo 2025 in Osaka and will also be on display at the Triennale di Milano from May 2025 until the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. After the Games, having written a new chapter in Olympic and Paralympic history, the Essential Olympic torch will join the prestigious collection of torches at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, leaving a tangible legacy of innovation and sustainability for future generations.

The Essential torches will all be made in Italy. They are lightweight, weighing approximately 1,060 grams excluding the fuel cannister, and are primarily composed of recycled materials, specifically an aluminium and brass alloy. Sustainability is at the heart of this iconic object: the torches have been designed with a system that allows them to be reused and refilled up to 10 times, significantly reducing the amount of torches required for both relays. The same attention to detail was dedicated to the energy source that will fuel the flame. The burner – the technological core of the torch – will run on bio-LPG, produced at the Enilive biorefinery in Gela, Sicily. Bio-LPG is made exclusively from renewable raw materials, mainly waste sources such as used cooking oil, animal fats and residues from the agricultural industry.

Additionally, the torch’s grip features an insert made of XL EXTRALIGHT®, an ultra-light polymeric material produced by Finproject from a Versalis polymer containing 60% bio-naphtha derived from renewable raw materials. The exterior finish is crafted using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technology, giving the torches a reflective, iridescent effect that allows them to blend with their surroundings depending on light conditions. This will offer a dynamic visual experience for both torchbearers and spectators. Essential features an open design that, for the first time, reveals its technological components, allowing torchbearers and the public to witness and understand how the flame is generated, unveiling the magic. The colours of the torches celebrate the bond between humans and nature, sport and the future. The Olympic torch lights up with Shades of Sky, inspired by Italy’s ever-changing landscapes. A colour that speaks of movement, hope, and transformation. The Paralympic torch glows with Mountains of Light, honouring the inner strength of Paralympic athletes and the power of their courage to reshape the world. (agc)