The two-month journey has begun! The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, lit the cauldron located on Piazza del Quirinale, RomeThe Olympic flame officially began its journey on Saturday, and the Olympic flame officially started its journey on Friday. The relay started from the Stadio dei Marmi with four athletes: Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming), Elisa Di Francisca (fencing) and Gianmarco Tmberi (high jump), all three Olympic champions, then basketball player Achille Polonara.
Photos from the Launch Ceremony at the Quirinale with President Sergio Mattarella and the Olympic Flame! 📸 🔥 🇮🇹
— Milano Cortina 2026 (@milanocortina26) December 5, 2025
#MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics #TorchRelay2026 #Rome @Quirinale pic.twitter.com/vv1nB1TiAZ
Dozens of bearers followed to carry the flame to the Piazza del Popolo. « The flame arrives in a country that lives and breathes sport, enthuses Kirsty Coventry. Each torchbearer will be a symbol of creativity, courage, joy, and a passion for life. The flame symbolizes the true spirit of the Olympic Games, which exists to bring people together, tear down wallsto inspire the dreams of future generations, and can only flourish when every athlete can participate, without discrimination. »
