The Hellenic Olympic Committee presented the Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame and the Torch Relay on Greek soil for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Athens Olympic Museum — the only Olympic museum in the capital — located in the Golden Hall.

The Olympic Flame will be lit in Ancient Olympia on November 26. A nine-day Torch Relay will follow, covering 2,200 kilometers across 23 regional units and 7 administrative regions, with 36 welcoming ceremonies throughout the country. The Flame will be handed over on December 4 at the Panathenaic Stadium to the representatives of the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games before departing for Italy.

The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee’s Torch Relay Commission, Mr. Thomas Tokas, presented the key contributors to the ceremonies, stating:
“The Lighting Ceremony for Milano Cortina 2026 will take place on November 26 in front of the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia. There, through the rays of the sun, the Flame — a symbol of culture and the power of nature — will be born. The High Priestess, the distinguished actress Mary Mina, will bring to life the sacred ritual choreographed by Artemis Ignatiou.

The music for the ceremonies is composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou, while the presentation will be hosted by MEGA TV journalist Dora Anagnostopoulou. The planning and coordination of the ceremonies are overseen by Dr. Makis Asimakopoulos.

The first Torchbearer will be alpine skier Alexandros Ginnis, representing the new generation of Greek athletes who make us proud with their achievements. The Olympic Flame’s route will begin in Ancient Olympia and travel through cities and regions including Pyrgos, Patras, Karpenisi, Metsovo, Kastoria, Drama, Thessaloniki, Portaria, Arachova, and Athens, culminating at the Panathenaic Stadium on December 4, 2025, where the Handover Ceremony to the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee will take place.

The last torchbearer to light the cauldron at the Panathenaic Stadium will be water polo athlete Helena Xenaki, representing the Greek Women’s National Water Polo Team, in recognition of their outstanding achievement of winning the gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships last July.”

Mr. Tokas also referred to the new digital application developed by the Hellenic Olympic Committee:
“As part of our digital transformation and improved organization of the Torch Relay, the Hellenic Olympic Committee is developing a mobile application — an innovative tool that will significantly assist the work of the support team.
The app will include GPS tracking of the route with a live map of the Flame and connection to the accompanying vehicle, as well as announcements, news, and articles to ensure continuous updates and interactivity.”

The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos, emphasized the message of the Olympic Flame to the younger generations:
“For the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Torch Relay is always an event of deep responsibility and great emotion.
From the Lighting Ceremony in Ancient Olympia to the Flame’s journey through every Greek town and village, thousands of people become part of a unique experience — they see, touch, and feel the light of Olympism.

Through the excellent cooperation between the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Physical Education, we have invited schools from Attica to attend the Handover Ceremony of the Flame, and schools from the regions of Ilia and Messinia to attend the Lighting Ceremony in Ancient Olympia.
We want to give children and young people the place they deserve. We want students to be present — to see, feel, and be inspired by the light of Olympia.
Because the Flame is not just a symbol of sport — it is a lesson in life. It reminds us that the pursuit of excellence, respect, and friendship never ends — and that the future of Olympism lies in the hands of children who will carry these values into their communities.”

Also present and speaking at the event were:

Giorgos Mavrotas, Secretary General of Sports:
“This is an event and a legacy that fills us with pride but also with responsibility to protect the kind of sport founded on values — the sport that was born and reborn in our homeland. There can be no Olympic Games without Greek light, without Greece.”

Paolo Cuculi, Ambassador of Italy to Greece:
“It is a great honor and joy for me to be here with you today, to share Italy’s expectations and excitement for such an important and meaningful event. The Olympic Games remain a global platform for cultural exchange and celebration of diversity and equality — and a source of hope.”

Mary Mina, High Priestess:
“It is a great honor for me to be here today. Every Lighting Ceremony carries deep emotional and symbolic weight. At the transcendent moment of the Flame, our thoughts go to the athletes — the true heroes of this institution — who will give their all to make values like solidarity, respect, and harmony shine.
I must also say that choreographer Artemis Ignatiou is the heart of this team, inspiring and uniting us to move as one body, one gaze, one motion.”

Alexandros Ginnis, First Torchbearer:
“It was an incredible feeling when I learned I would be the first Torchbearer. It filled me with pride and emotion — it’s an honor I will carry with me for a lifetime.”

Helena Xenaki, Last Torchbearer and representative of the Women’s National Water Polo Team:
“It’s a unique feeling, something that will remain in all our hearts. The Flame is more than a symbol — it carries dreams, values, and strength, and I’m very proud that my teammates and I will represent all that it stands for.”

Choreographer Artemis Ignatiou, who was traveling in China, sent a video message.
Also in attendance were: the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Angela Varela; Eleni G. Zontirou, President of the City of Athens’ Organization for Culture, Sports and Youth; the President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee, Giorgos Kapelakis; HOC Secretary General Stefanos Chandakas; President of the International Olympic Academy Haris Tsolakis; Attica Regional Delegate for Olympic Ideals Vasiliki Millousi, and members of the HOC Plenary Session.

The event was hosted by journalist Dora Anagnostopoulou.