The Olympic flame for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 came to life on Wednesday (26 November) at an official ceremony in Olympia, Greece – the spiritual home of the Games.
Due to heavy rain and strong winds in the region, the main part of the Flame-Lighting Ceremony took place inside the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. The ritual itself, however, remained faithful to tradition.
With forecasts warning of poor weather later in the week, the flame was lit on Monday in front of the Temple of Hera, using a parabolic mirror and the sun’s rays, a tradition that has been observed since 1936. That flame has been kept burning in a safety lantern and was used today to light the Olympic torch inside the museum.
Representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including IOC President Kirsty Coventry and former IOC President Thomas Bach, attended the ceremony alongside dignitaries from the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee and local authorities.
The archaeological site of Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Founded in the 8th century BC, it was dedicated to Zeus and hosted the Games for over a thousand years.
