2026 Winter Olympics flame handed to Milan-Cortina organisers

Ceremony adjusted due to weather

“Today marks a magical moment for all of us,” said Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milan-Cortina Organising Committee, speaking at the Panathenaic Stadium — the site where the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896.

Bad weather forecasts forced Greek organisers to shorten the ceremony and cancel the attendance of thousands of schoolchildren.

Similar adjustments were required on 26 November in ancient Olympia, the historic birthplace of the Games in 776 BC, where a backup flame was used for the official lighting ceremony.

Torch relay begins

After a nine-day relay around Greece, the flame was kept overnight at the Acropolis in Athens.

It will now travel to Rome for a 63-day, 12,000-kilometre (7,500-mile) journey across Italy’s major cities, including iconic sites such as the Colosseum and Pompeii.

Olympic and Paralympic games schedule

The Winter Olympics will take place from 6 to 22 February, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from 6 to 15 March.

Concerns over venue delays

As with several past Olympic editions — including Athens 2004 — the Games are facing delays in the construction of some venues.

A senior official from the International Ski Federation (FIS) expressed concern this week about progress at the site designated for snowboarding and freestyle skiing events.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have also raised concerns about delays at the main ice hockey arena.

Organisers maintain confidence

Despite these issues, local organisers insist that all venues will be completed and ready in time for the Games.