The Olympic Flame for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games was officially handed over to the Italian organizers on Thursday, during a ceremony held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens — the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The event marked the conclusion of the Greek segment of the torch relay before the Flame’s transfer to Rome.
Ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium
Despite forecasts of storms and severe weather, the handover ceremony unfolded with a symbolic program adapted for safety. The Flame, described as the “Light of Ancient Olympia,” was passed from the High Priestess, Mary Mina, to Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. He then presented it to Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee, completing nine days of relay across Greece.
Italian Olympic athletes Jasmine Paolini and Filippo Ganna played a central role in the ceremony, symbolically carrying the Flame, while Greek water polo world champion Elena Xenaki lit the ceremonial cauldron alongside her national teammates.
The event also featured a choreographed performance by the priestesses, created by choreographer Artemis Ignatiou. Musical performances included the Olympic Hymn sung by soprano Christina Poulitsi with the Athens Conservatory Youth Choir and the National Symphony Orchestra of Greece. The Italian national anthem was performed by baritone Tassis Christoyannis, while tenor Giannis Christopoulos led the Greek national anthem.
The Flame’s Final Night in Greece
Before its arrival at the stadium, the Olympic Flame spent the night on the Acropolis, where only its official guardians were allowed inside the archaeological site. The Greek relay began on 26 November in Ancient Olympia and concluded on Thursday with the handover to Italy.
Torchbearers Celebrate Their Participation
Journalist Rania Tzima was among the torchbearers, describing the experience as “a huge honor” and “a joy like being a child again.” She emphasized the collective spirit of the relay, saying that any involvement in the Olympic tradition “leaves its mark.”
U.S. Ambassador Among Torchbearers
Also taking part was the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle. Dressed in the official torchbearer uniform, she received the Flame near the Acropolis Museum from Stefanos Chandakas, Secretary General of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and a former Olympic sailor. She then passed it to Josh Huck, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, who later handed it to Christos Marafatsos, co-chair of “Greeks for Trump.”
With the Greek leg now complete, the Olympic Flame begins its journey across Italy, where a nearly two-month relay will lead up to the Opening Ceremony on 6 February at the San Marino stadium in Milan.
