PAOLINI AND GANNA FINAL TORCHBEARERS IN GREECE
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.
