Listen to the article
Italian Skiing Star Sofia Goggia Lights Olympic Cauldron in Cortina
Italian downhill skiing champion Sofia Goggia played a central role in Friday’s opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Olympics, lighting the cauldron in Cortina d’Ampezzo as part of a synchronized lighting that also featured retired skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni in Milan.
The symbolic moment marked a full-circle journey for Goggia, who had been instrumental in securing the 2026 Winter Games for Italy. In 2019, Goggia and snowboarder Michela Moioli delivered a pivotal joint presentation to the International Olympic Committee that helped Italy’s bid triumph over Sweden’s competing proposal.
“We brought this candidature to Italy,” Goggia remarked after the ceremony. “And now I lighted up the fire.”
The honor of being the final torchbearer came after Gustav Thoeni, the 1972 Olympic giant slalom champion, passed the flame to Goggia in the mountain venue. Despite her experience performing under pressure as an elite athlete, Goggia revealed she needed breathing techniques to manage her emotions before the momentous occasion.
“It was a huge honor for me,” Goggia said. “It was even more of an honor to receive the torch from the hands of Gustav Thoeni. And to light the fire up at the same time with Compagnoni and Tomba.”
Goggia is no stranger to Olympic glory, having claimed gold in the downhill at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver at Beijing 2022—the latter achievement coming just weeks after suffering a serious crash on the same Cortina slopes where she now lit the cauldron.
The 31-year-old Italian learned of her cauldron-lighting responsibilities in December but had to compartmentalize this knowledge while focusing on World Cup competition. After a challenging stretch on the circuit, she found her form just in time, finishing second in a super-G race shortly before the Games.
“I didn’t think it would have touched me so much inside,” Goggia reflected on the ceremony. “It was really an emotional and personal moment and like a bit holy.”
The evening concluded near midnight, but Goggia’s duties as an athlete demanded immediate attention. She swiftly returned to her hotel to prepare for early morning downhill training on Saturday. “In two minutes I was in the hotel,” she said, describing her hasty departure—still wearing the ceremony’s radio earpiece until reaching her hotel bathroom.
Cortina has been the site of dramatic highs and lows for Goggia throughout her career. While she has claimed four World Cup downhill victories on its challenging slopes, she also missed the 2021 World Championships there due to injury.
“There’s a special place in my heart for this course,” Goggia said. “It’s intense and free like I am.”
Sunday’s women’s downhill will give Goggia the opportunity to add another Olympic medal to her collection, this time on home snow with the added pressure and privilege of representing the host nation.
The opening ceremony celebrated other Italian winter sports icons as well. Federica Brignone, the defending overall World Cup skiing champion, served as one of Italy’s flag bearers in Cortina alongside Olympic curling champion Amos Mosaner. In a playful moment during the parade through town, Mosaner hoisted Brignone onto his shoulders.
“I’m heavy,” Brignone joked afterward, “so I wasn’t sure he could carry me.”
The Olympic oath in Cortina was read by Stefania Constantini, who won gold with Mosaner in mixed doubles curling in Beijing, and luger Dominik Fischnaller.
As competition begins in earnest, all eyes will now turn to Goggia and her fellow Italian athletes as they seek to capitalize on home-field advantage in these Winter Games that they helped bring to their country.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
11 Comments
It’s impressive that Goggia was able to maintain her composure during such an emotionally charged ceremony. Managing nerves under that level of scrutiny is a true test of an athlete’s mental toughness.
It’s great to see the 2026 Winter Olympics returning to Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo has such a rich skiing heritage, and having Goggia as the final torchbearer adds a wonderful touch of national pride.
Absolutely, Cortina is an iconic winter sports destination. Goggia lighting the cauldron is a powerful symbol of Italy’s passion for the Games.
Goggia must have felt immense pressure and emotion leading up to this moment. Lighting the Olympic flame is a once-in-a-lifetime honor, especially for an athlete who played a key role in securing the event for their home country.
The synchronized lighting between Cortina and Milan was a clever way to highlight Italy’s two main Olympic hubs. It’s great to see the nation come together to celebrate this moment.
Yes, the dual lighting was a nice touch to symbolize the nationwide effort behind the 2026 bid. Italy should be proud to host the Winter Games.
What a special moment for Italian skiing legend Sofia Goggia to light the Olympic cauldron in Cortina. Her contributions in securing the 2026 Winter Games for Italy must make this honor even more meaningful.
Agreed, Goggia has been a trailblazer for Italian winter sports. This recognition is well-deserved for her efforts on and off the slopes.
The passing of the flame from skiing legend Gustav Thoeni to Goggia adds a wonderful generational element to the ceremony. It’s great to see the sport’s history and future intersect in this moment.
Kudos to Goggia for her instrumental role in bringing the 2026 Winter Olympics to Italy. Lighting the cauldron must have been an incredibly proud and humbling experience for her.
Definitely, this honor is a fitting culmination of Goggia’s contributions to Italian winter sports. She’s cemented her legacy as a national icon.