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.
