Olympic Flame Ceremony Tradition Returns for Milan 2026/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The flame-lighting ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics takes place in Ancient Olympia, Greece, continuing a ritual rooted in ancient history. Dependent on clear skies and choreographed with reverence, the flame begins its journey to Milan. This year’s relay will span Greece and Italy, culminating in San Siro Stadium.
Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony Quick Looks
- The flame for Milan Cortina 2026 is lit in Olympia, Greece.
- Ceremony involves ancient Greek-inspired choreography and religious-style invocation.
- Weather-dependent ritual uses a concave mirror to ignite the torch.
- A week-long relay across Greece precedes the handoff to Italy on Dec. 4.
- 63-day Italian torch relay spans 12,000 kilometers across 60 cities.
- 10,000 torchbearers will carry the flame through all 110 Italian provinces.
- The Paralympic flame has a separate route starting in Stoke Mandeville, UK.
Olympic Flame Ceremony Tradition Returns for Milan 2026
Deep Look
In the ancient sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, a centuries-old tradition will again illuminate the path to the modern Winter Olympic Games. On Wednesday, November 26, the symbolic Olympic flame will be kindled for the Milan Cortina 2026 Games during a solemn and theatrical ceremony that bridges the ancient and the contemporary.
Held at the ruins of the Temple of Hera, the event echoes the rituals of Greece’s past, where priestesses in flowing robes invoke Apollo, the god of light, to ignite the flame using only the sun’s rays and a carefully angled concave mirror. The ceremony, elegant and symbolic, aims to connect the ancient Greek Games with the global celebration of sport today.
But this hallowed tradition is not without its modern hurdles. The process requires direct sunlight—without it, the flame won’t ignite. Organizers prepare by lighting backup flames during rehearsal days, keeping them in lanterns to ensure the continuity of the ritual in case of cloudy skies. This guarantees the torch relay can begin without delay, even if the weather refuses to cooperate.
Historically, this ceremony wasn’t always part of the modern Olympics. While the Games began in 1896, the flame-lighting ritual using solar energy was introduced in the 1930s and has since become an unchanging hallmark of Olympic tradition.
Security has also evolved. The torch relay has occasionally been interrupted by political protests, such as those surrounding the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Since then, relay routes have been kept within tighter geographic bounds—restricted to Greece and the host nation to minimize disruption.
This year, the torch will journey across Greece for one week, with a symbolic overnight stay at the iconic Acropolis in Athens. On December 4, the flame will be handed over to Italian officials, launching a 63-day odyssey across Italy.
Italy’s relay promises to be extensive and inclusive. Starting from Rome, the route will span over 12,000 kilometers, passing through 60 cities and all 110 provinces, highlighting UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Italy’s rich cultural landmarks. Approximately 10,000 torchbearers—ranging from athletes to local heroes—will carry the torch toward the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for February 6, 2026, at the famed San Siro Stadium in Milan.
The torch design itself speaks to the Games’ forward-thinking approach. Named “Essenziale,” it was created in Italy using sustainable methods. Constructed from recycled aluminum and powered by renewable gas, its handle features a bio-based polymer, marrying innovation with tradition.
But the Olympic flame isn’t the only fire being lit. The Paralympic flame, too, will have its moment.
Its journey will begin in Stoke Mandeville, England, the historic birthplace of the Paralympic movement, on February 24, 2026. This site hosted the first wheelchair sports competition following World War II, laying the foundation for what would become the Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960.
Over the course of 11 days, the Paralympic flame will travel 2,000 kilometers across Italy, joining with fire kindled in various cities during special “Flame Festivals.” The culminating point of this relay will be the Paralympic Opening Ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena on March 6.
Together, these two torches—the Olympic and the Paralympic—represent a convergence of history, resilience, unity, and innovation. As the flames move from the ruins of Olympia to the stadiums of Milan and Verona, they carry not only fire but a message of peace, excellence, and global togetherness.
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