The countdown to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins this week as the Olympic flame is lit in Greece, marking the start of the torch relay.
This year’s ceremony, normally held outdoors in Ancient Olympia, has been moved indoors due to persistent rain, forcing organisers to use a pre-lit flame from Monday’s rehearsal instead of the traditional sun-lit ignition.
The flame will travel through Greece for a week, including an overnight stop at the Acropolis, before being handed over to Games organisers on December 4. From Rome, the 63-day Italian relay will span 12,000km, pass through 60 cities and all 110 provinces, and involve around 10,000 torchbearers before reaching Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the February 6 opening ceremony. The Winter Games run until February 22.
Australia expects to send about 55 athletes—potentially its largest Winter Olympic team yet. Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin says the nation could be fielding its “largest, deepest and broadest” squad, featuring stars such as 2022 moguls champion Jakara Anthony, four-time snowboard Olympian Jarryd Hughes, and bobsleigh medal contender Bree Walker.
A separate flame for the Winter Paralympics will be lit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England on February 24. It will travel 2,000km to Verona Arena for the March 6 opening ceremony.
