Rome: The Olympic flame was lit in Rome’s Quirinale Palace square, beginning its journey across Italy ahead of the 2026 Winter Games. The torch, originally ignited last month in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, was handed over to Italian organisers in Athens earlier this week.
The flame arrived in Rome in a ceremonial lantern displayed at the palace before being used by Italian President Sergio Mattarella to ignite a cauldron in Piazza del Quirinale. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry.
Mattarella called for a renewed Olympic truce and emphasised the values of friendship and peace among nations. He urged efforts to stop aggression and conflict, highlighting the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding.
Hundreds of tourists gathered in the historic square to watch the event, which included a flypast by Italy’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatics team trailing the national flag across the sky.
President Sergio Mattarella officially lights the cauldron for Milano Cortina 2026!!
WOW!! 💚🤍❤️#MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics #TorchRelay2026 #Roma @Quirinale pic.twitter.com/2xevGjuOyi
— Milano Cortina 2026 (@milanocortina26) December 5, 2025
Coventry described the occasion as a celebration of Italy’s sporting spirit and highlighted the symbolism of the torch relay. Italy will host the Games in Milan and the Dolomite resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo from February 6 to 22. The country last hosted the Winter Olympics in Turin in 2006.
The Olympic flame will depart Rome’s Stadio dei Marmi on December 6 for a 12,000-kilometre relay through Italy’s 20 regions, 110 provinces, and 60 cities. The flame will be carried by 10,001 torchbearers, each representing a piece of Italian creativity, courage, cultural heritage, and passion for life.
The relay aims to bring communities together and celebrate Italy’s rich sporting tradition as the nation prepares to welcome athletes and visitors from around the world.
