At every stop moments of music and entertainment. Vespas in “Roman Holiday” style along Via Veneto. The brazier in the wings of Piazza del Popolo
The journey of the torch of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games begins today in the Capital. For 63 days, the flame will cross 60 cities, for over 12 thousand kilometres, touching every province and artistic and landscape beauties. A real spot for Italy in the world.
The relay started on Saturday 6 December at 9.30 from the Stadio dei Marmi «Pietro Mennea» in the Foro Italico, with three torchbearers as protagonists. After an introduction – by the president of CONI Luciano Buonfiglio, by the minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi and by the president of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 Giovanni Malagò (he recalled with regret the days in which the capital was a candidate for the 2024 Games, then held in Paris, «if we are here it is because someone did not want to trust this city») – Giancarlo Peristhe last torchbearer of the 1960 Rome Games, handed over the torch to Malagòresponsible for lighting the brazier. Then off to the relay through the most beautiful views of the Capital introduced by a triad: Gregorio Paltrinieri, winner of one gold, two silvers and two bronzes at the Olympics (“The torch goes beyond sport, when you think of the Olympics you think of the world stopping and coming together. Years ago wars stopped, even if I doubt it will happen now”), he entrusted the torch to Elisa Di Francisca, the second torchbearer. The fencing Olympian, winner of two Olympic golds and one silver in the foil discipline, after a round accompanied by applause in turn handed over the baton to another Olympian, Gianmarco Tamberi.
First destination, around 12, the Gazometro
He, winner of the gold medal in the high jump at Tokyo 2020, had the “Torch kiss” (as the exchange is defined, synonymous with peace, unity, hope and friendship) with the basketball player Achille Polonara who raised the torch outside the Stadio dei Marmi, launching the relay through the streets of Rome with excited and hopeful eyes. Polonara is the only one of the first four torchbearers on the opening day who never wore a medal around his neck, but who with Olympic spirit is fighting a much tougher battle than any sporting competition. And for the occasion, the basketball player from the Marche region, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia a few months ago, he showed up without a wheelchair who had accompanied him in previous public outings: «A great emotion, just as being on your feet is an emotion, considering that up to a week I was in a wheelchair – his words -. My battle has been complicated, I hope I’m at the end. Being young and an athlete helped me a lot: then I’m also a fighter, now I hope that a bit of luck will assist me.”
Tamberi’s homage to Polonara
From the Marche region like him, Tamberi explained: «It was a huge emotion, even Frbecause I’ve known Achilles since we were little. He is a warriorand what he is going through is not to be wished upon anyone. The torch contains all the values of sport and even today something as simple as a flame kept lit by many people has enormous value, it contains something poetic. We hope for the Olympic truce, something that is not feasible. And I hope that my relationship with the Games can continue until Los Angeles 2028.” Torchbearers in the streets of the capital Matteo Berrettini, Achille Lauro, Gigi Datome, Andrea Bargnani, Max Biaggi, the Oscar winner Giuseppe Tornatore, Noemi, Claudia Gerini and Lavinia Biagiotti. Also holding the torch is Rania Dagash-Kamara, assistant executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP). Between 12 and 1 pm the passage from St. Peter’s Square to Castel Sant’Angelo, while a detachment of athletes remains at the Pantheon. The morning race has its first destination at the Gazometro, owned by Eni, the journey’s partner.
Lighting of the brazier in Piazza del Popolo
In the early afternoon we set off again, in the direction of Piazza del Campidoglio where the arrival of the flame is scheduled for 4pm, to then reach the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum. There is also an iconic and evocative ride on a Vespa along Via Veneto. From 6.30pm stops at the Trevi fountain, Piazza Montecitorio, Palazzo Chigi, Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso. Until 7.30pm, at the lighting of the brazier in the wings of Piazza del Popolo, accompanied by a concert. A journey marked by music and entertainment events, especially organized by partners Coca Cola and Eni, to celebrate an ancient rite renewed in its attractiveness. Opening ceremony on February 6th.
Achille Lauro torchbearer, crowd at the Colosseum
From the X Factor final in Milan-Cortina. Crowd – incredible – at the Colosseum for Achille Lauro torchbearer version. The Roman singer-songwriter took the Olympic flame accompanied by thousands of curious and passionate people who also sang his most famous songs. He then left the torch to Edoardo Manozzi, aka «Boss Doms», an internationally renowned DJ. Thousands also in Piazza del Popolo for the “City Celebration”. Between music,
performances and activities dedicated to adults and children also took part in the event the president of the Lazio Region, Francesco Rocca, and the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri.
Sunday 7th the torch at Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana
The local police of Rome Capital will monitor traffic, obviously subject to some limitations. On Sunday 7 December the Olympic torch will leave Rome for subsequent celebratory stages from via dell’Arcadia-via di Tor Maranciotowards Eur and Ostia, leaving the capital permanently from here. The route will continue in Lazio reaching Civitavecchia and Tarquinia, with a final stop in Viterbo. Tivoli will also experience a historic transition: the Olympic flame will enter Villa Adriana from 12 to 12.15 and will reach Villa d’Este from 12.30 to 12.45, welcomed by torchbearers and by those who want to share a strong emotion, between sport and culture.
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