- Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia as Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay begins
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 27.11.2025) :: The ceremony, held in Archaeological Museum of Olympia, was hosted by Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and attended by a number of distinguished guests. This included the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, and the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine An. Tassoulas.
Because of the wet weather forecast, the flame was lit using the rays of the sun during a rehearsal on Monday, ensuring that the purity of the traditional method was preserved. This flame was then transferred to the official Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic torch during the official ceremony, where Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in rowing Petros Gkaidatzis marked the start of the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay as the first torchbearer. Petros was then joined by the first Italian torchbearer, two-time Olympic champion Stefania Belmondo , to run together, before she in turn passed the flame to her compatriot and fellow double Olympic champion, Armin Zoeggeler.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: “We are extremely happy that today’s ceremony reminds us what the Games stand for. They are about bringing people together in peaceful competition, in friendship and in respect. As we light the Olympic flame for Milano Cortina, we will carry this light from the past to the present and into the future. And it’s a shared future that we all want to see. This is why we firmly believe in the Olympic Truce. In laying down our differences and wanting to hope for a brighter future.”
She added: “These Games come at a critical point in our history. In a divided world that we live in today, the Games hold a truly symbolic place. And it’s our duty, our responsibility, to ensure that the athletes from around the world can come together peacefully, and that they can inspire the dreams and hopes of those around the world that are watching.”
IOC President Coventry called this “the true Olympic spirit”, saying: “The athletes live the values that unite us. They show us the best of humanity, where no discrimination is seen on the field of play. That spirit can only flourish when every eligible athlete, team and official can take part. The Olympic Games will always continue to exist to break down walls that are put in our way.”
She concluded by saying: “The power of sport unites us – and it inspires us. It also reminds us that every Olympic Games is part of a living tradition — connecting generations, cultures and people across various generations.”
Among the other guests at the ceremony were IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach; IOC Member in Greece Spyros Capralos; the President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee and IOC Member, Giovanni Malagò; the Chair of the IOC’s Milano Cortina 2026 Coordination Commission, IOC Member Kristin Kloster; the President of the Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI), Luciano Buonfiglio; the Italian Minister of Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi; and the Mayor of Olympia, Aristeidis Panagiotopoulos.
Speaking earlier in the ceremony, Milano Cortina 2026 President Malagò reflected on the symbolism of the flame and Italy’s role as the next host. He said: “The Italian spirit will shine brightly in the flame of the torch, igniting the whole of Italy and uniting the world in the common purpose which sits at the heart of Milano Cortina: To use the timeless power of the Olympic Games to create new opportunities for young generations through sport.”
In his conclusion, he highlighted the powerful symbolism of the journey ahead, saying: “Every step I – and the thousands of runners – take over the next 10 weeks will remind the world of the power of sport to build bridges, break down barriers and together create a healthier and more sustainable future together.”
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