Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony Set For Today In Ancient Olympia

The Olympic occurrence for nan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games is group to beryllium officially lit coming astatine nan Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia, aft nan original outdoor ceremonial was delayed by dense rain.

A historical rehearsal successful Greece

The historical site, location to nan 2,500-year-old Temple of Hera, hosted a spectacular rehearsal connected Monday. The occurrence was successfully lit utilizing sunlight and a concave mirror, pursuing nan ancient contented of honouring nan sun deity Apollo. Greek character Mary Mina played nan domiciled of precocious priestess, dressed successful classical robes, while a troupe of dancers performed routines celebrating Greece’s Olympic heritage.

Weather forces ceremonial indoors

While nan rehearsal went disconnected without a hitch nether clear skies, forecasts warned of rainfall and clouds for nan charismatic ceremony, forcing organisers to move it indoors. But nan alteration of venue won’t return distant from nan moment. The flame, already lit during Monday’s rehearsal, is fresh to go nan charismatic Olympic flame.

First torch-bearer group to statesman relay

Bronze medallist rower Petros Gaidatzis will beryllium nan first torch-bearer successful Greece. During nan rehearsal, he received nan occurrence and an oliva branch from Mary Mina, symbolising bid and continuity pinch nan ancient games. From Olympia, nan occurrence will statesman a agelong travel of astir 12,000 kilometres done Greece and Italy. More than 10,000 torch-bearers will return part, carrying nan occurrence to towns and cities earlier it reaches Milan for nan Winter Games opening connected 6 February 2026.

Torch relay crossed Greece and Italy

The torch’s travel will beryllium a ceremony of athletics and culture. In Greece, it will walk done historical towns and regions, connecting communities to nan Olympic story. Once it leaves Greece, nan relay continues done Italy, visiting awesome cities and landmarks. Each torch-bearer carries nan occurrence for a short distance, creating thousands of moments of ceremony and inspiration. The relay combines modern readying pinch ancient tradition, showing really nan occurrence unites group crossed borders.

Ritual retains its symbolism

Even indoors, nan ceremonial keeps its magic. Sunlight focused done a concave reflector lights nan flame, while nan priestess invokes ancient tradition. The oliva branch and torch relay nexus nan infinitesimal to thousands of years of history. It’s a reminder that nan Olympics are astir much than sport, they observe heritage, culture, and quality spirit.

Drama and excitement for spectators

The indoor mounting adds a unsocial twist to nan ceremony, without taking distant from nan spectacle. The precocious priestess, dancers, first torch-bearer, and nan cautiously lit occurrence each harvester to create a melodramatic and memorable scene.

A travel of contented and modernity

For wintertime sports fans and lovers of tradition, nan Olympic occurrence is much than conscionable a ceremony. It originates pinch sunlight, weathers a small rain, and travels crossed countries, towns, and landscapes. The torch relay spreads nan Olympic values of peace, excellence, and relationship each on nan route.

Ceremony details

Today’s ceremonial starts astatine 11:30, pinch dignitaries including Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas and IOC President Kirsty Coventry successful attendance. Despite nan rainfall and indoor setting, nan Olympic tone shines agleam successful Olympia.

Follow nan Olympic Torch travel here