The journey to Italy and the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina began for the Olympic Flame after its birth in Ancient Olympia, during a magnificent event organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee that embodied the true Olympic spirit and ideals.

The Lighting Ceremony took place at the Archaeological Museum, in front of the unique statue of Nike of Paionios, which added great splendor to the ceremony and highlighted the heritage of the Olympic Games, born in Greece and continuing thousands of years later in the modern era.

Present at the ceremony were the President of the Hellenic Republic 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 in Greece Spyros Capralos, Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis, Italian Minister of Sports and Youth Andrea Abodi, Secretary General of Sports Giorgos Mavrotas, Regional Governor of Western Greece Nektarios Farmakis, former Prime Minister George Papandreou, Secretary General of the HOC Stefanos Chandakas, Mayor of Ancient Olympia Aristidis Panayiotopoulos, and many other officials.

The first Torchbearer was Olympic medalist Petros Gaidatzis, who received the Flame from High Priestess Mary Mina. Together with Italian Olympic champion Stefania Belmondo, they began the journey of the foremost Olympic symbol. The Olympic Flame then passed by the monument of Baron Pierre de Coubertin and continued, for the first time, to the facilities of the International Olympic Academy with Torchbearer Olympian and President of the National Olympic Academy, Dimosthenis Tabakos.

The choreography of the Priestesses and the Kouroi was created by the renowned choreographer Artemis Ignatiou, with musical direction by composer Dimitris Papadimitriou.

The Olympic Hymn was performed by coloratura soprano Christina Poulitsi, and the national anthems of Greece and Italy were sung by the children’s choir of the Italian School of Athens. The poem “The Light of Olympia” by Takis Doxas was recited by acclaimed actor Yiannis Stankoglou, while the ceremony was presented by distinguished journalist Dora Anagnostopoulou.

The official greetings followed, with HOC President Isidoros Kouvelos stating among other things:
“Today, on this sacred land a land where time itself seems to pause, where the stones still whisper the stories of the first athletes we are all here together, once again, for a Light that belongs not to one nation,
but to all humanity.

To the ancients, fire was a gift from the Gods a symbol of life, purity and truth. But, it is no longer a divine fire.It is a human fire, the fire of courage, unity, reconciliation. But the Flame that was lit, carries a deeper meaning shaped by centuries of struggle, hope, and human evolution.

If today the winds and clouds urged us to light the Flame early, let it be a sign that Olympia belongs to all elements: the sun, the wind, the rain, and sacred fire. And just behind us, stands the Nike of Paionios,
the winged symbol of victory, once raised to celebrate triumph in a world of wars.

Today she looks upon a different kind of conquest: not the defeat of an enemy, but the victory of peace over conflict, of the human spirit over its own limitations.”

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, visibly moved, noted:
I would like to begin by expressing our deep gratitude to the Greek people, to the President of the Hellenic Republic, and to the Hellenic Olympic Committee. By safeguarding the heritage of the Olympic Games, you ensure that this timeless tradition continues to inspire the world. Each time the Olympic flame is lit here in this sacred place, we are reminded of where the Olympic Games come from — and of the
enduring values they represent.

This is the first time I am experiencing the lighting of the Olympic flame and I am filled with so many emotions right now. I feel gratitude for our past, hope for our future, and inspiration from what unites us. Milano Cortina will be the first Games of my presidency, and returning to Greece, where I was elected a few months ago, makes this moment even more meaningful. It feels as if the past, present and future are
coming together in this one special moment.

The Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Aristidis Panayiotopoulos, also delivered an address, stating:
“The lighting of the Flame allows us once again to speak about the values that guide humanity—values born and forged here. Values that are recognized as the foundation of our shared destiny: fellowship, respect for life, justice, excellence, noble rivalry, and peace.”

The greetings concluded with the President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee, Giovanni Malagò. On the first day of the Olympic Torch Relay, the Flame passed through Pyrgos, Amaliada, Ancient Elis, Lampeia, and Kleitoria before arriving in Kalavryta.

The journey to Italy and the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina began for the Olympic Flame after its birth in Ancient Olympia, during a magnificent event organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee that embodied the true Olympic spirit and ideals.