The dress rehearsal for the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games was completed without any issues at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in front of the unique statue of the Nike of Paionios.

The change of venue was necessary due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing in Ancient Olympia and the continuous rainfall, which made it impossible to hold the Ceremony at the Ancient Stadium.

The rehearsal unfolded smoothly with Choreographer Artemis Ignatiou, High Priestess Mary Mina, the first Torchbearer Petros Gaidatzis, the Priestesses and the Kouroi, soprano Christina Poulitsi, actor Giannis Stankoglou, and journalist Dora Anagnostopoulou, who presented the event.

The Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 11:30 at the Archaeological Museum, with the Olympic Flame having been lit during Monday’s rehearsal. In attendance will be the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulas, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Milano Cortina Organizing Committee Giovanni Malagò, IOC Member Spyros Capralos, Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis, Mayor of Ancient Olympia Aristidis Panayiotopoulos, and many other officials.

Ceremony Programme:

11:30 — Start of the Ceremony

Olympic Anthem – Raising of the Olympic Flag
(The Olympic Anthem is performed by coloratura soprano Christina Poulitsi)

National Anthem of Italy – Raising of the Italian Flag

National Anthem of Greece – Raising of the Greek Flag
(The national anthems are performed by the children’s choir of the Italian School of Athens)

“The Light of Olympia” — poem by Takis Doxas (recited by actor Giannis Stankoglou)

Greeting by the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Aristidis Panayiotopoulos

Adress by the President of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games “Milano Cortina 2026”, Mr. Giovanni Malago

Adress by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Ms. Kirsty Coventry

Adress by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos

Lighting Ritual of the Olympic Flame at the Temple of Hera

Entrance of High Priestess Mary Mina, the Priestesses, and the Kouroi with the Olympic Flame

Choreography of the Priestesses and the Kouroi

Artistic Direction / Staging – Choreography: Artemis Ignatiou
Music Composition: Dimitris Papadimitriou

Handover of the Olympic Flame by High Priestess Mary Mina to the first Torchbearer, Olympic medalist Petros Gaidatzis

Departure of the first Torchbearer for the Pierre de Coubertin Monument

Start of the Olympic Torch Relay