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The Olympic flame for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games began its ceremonial journey Wednesday under unusual circumstances, as inclement weather forced organizers to move the traditional lighting ceremony indoors for the first time in recent memory.
Heavy rain and overcast skies in Ancient Olympia, Greece, prompted officials to relocate the event from its customary setting among ancient ruins to the nearby Archaeological Museum of Olympia. The flame, traditionally ignited by the sun’s rays focused through a concave mirror, had to be lit using a backup flame that had been kindled during a brief moment of sunshine during Monday’s rehearsal.
Despite the weather-related setback, organizers maintained the ceremony’s historic elements, including choreographed performances by dancers portraying ancient priestesses and kouroi (male youth figures) amid the museum’s classical statuary. Greek rower Petros Gaidatzis became the first torchbearer, launching a relay that will eventually involve approximately 10,000 runners across Italy before the Games open on February 6.
“It’s incredibly memorable and a little bit emotional for me to be standing here,” said International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, who was overseeing her first torch lighting since her election in March. “It feels like the past and the present are really coming together. We are extremely happy that today’s ceremony reminds us what the games stand for.”
Artemis Ignatiou, the ceremony’s artistic director, found a silver lining in the unexpected venue change. “We gained something special: the energy of the museum and the archaeological space itself,” Ignatiou told The Associated Press, adding that dancing among the statues “gave the ceremony a timeless feeling.”
The torch will remain in Greece for a short tour before being handed over to Italian officials on December 4. From there, it will embark on an ambitious 63-day journey covering 12,000 kilometers through all 110 Italian provinces and 20 regions, showcasing the country’s cultural heritage and Olympic venues.
“Over the next few weeks, the Olympic flame will pass through all the Italian provinces, 60 cities, 300 towns, 20 regions and all the UNESCO sites. It will travel from the northern peaks to the southern shores,” said Giovanni Malago, head of the Milan Cortina Organizing Committee.
Italy is hosting the Winter Olympics for the third time, following previous editions in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1956) and Turin (2006). However, preparations for the 2026 Games have not been without challenges, including significant cost overruns and construction delays that have raised concerns among Olympic officials and local authorities.
Despite these obstacles, organizers are emphasizing several highlights of the upcoming Games, including 116 medal events, the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering, increased female participation, and the anticipated return of National Hockey League players to Olympic ice hockey competition after their absence from the 2018 and 2022 Games.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, speakers took the opportunity to invoke the Olympic Truce, an ancient Greek tradition calling for the cessation of hostilities during the Games to allow safe participation by athletes from all nations.
“Today humanity is going through a time of multiple and parallel crises. Wars proliferate from Europe to the Middle East and from Asia to Africa. So we should honestly admit that a society at war is a failed society,” said Aristidis Panayiotopoulos, mayor of Ancient Olympia. “The flame allows us to again recall the values that guide humanity, values that were born and forged here.”
A separate flame for the Winter Paralympics, which will take place from March 6-15, is scheduled to be lit on February 24 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, recognized as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.
The Olympic flame is expected to arrive at Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony, marking the official start of the 25th Olympic Winter Games.
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10 Comments
Interesting to see the Olympic flame journey begin under such rainy conditions. I wonder if the unusual circumstances will add to the sense of ceremony and tradition for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy.
The relocation to the museum seems like a creative solution to keep the ritual intact despite the poor weather. Adaptability is key for major events like this.
Despite the weather setback, the Olympic flame is now on its journey. The upcoming Winter Games will be an important event for Italy to showcase its winter sports heritage and tourism destinations.
Absolutely. The Olympics are a huge opportunity to highlight a host nation’s culture and attractions. I’m sure the Italians will put on an impressive show.
The Olympics always bring a sense of global unity, even during challenging times. Hopefully the Milan Cortina Games can provide an uplifting moment for the world, despite the cloud of the pandemic.
Agreed. The Olympic torch relay is an iconic tradition that helps build excitement. I’m curious to see how the Italian hosts put their own spin on it.
I’m curious to see how the Italian people embrace the torch relay as it makes its way across the country. The Winter Olympics often have a more intimate feel than the summer edition, so this could be a special moment for local communities.
It’s a shame the weather didn’t cooperate for the traditional outdoor lighting ceremony, but the museum setting sounds like a fitting alternative. The flame’s journey is an important symbol, regardless of the conditions.
The Olympics are always a logistical challenge, but the organizers seem to have handled this unexpected weather situation well. Maintaining the core traditions of the torch relay, even in a different location, is commendable.
Agreed. The Games are about more than just the athletic competition – the cultural and ceremonial elements are just as significant.