Greece on Thursday held the Olympic flame handover ceremony for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games at the historic Panathenaic Stadium.
World wrestling champion Georgios Kougioumtsidis carried the flame into the stadium, passing it to Italy’s Olympic tennis champion Jasmine Paolini and cyclist Filippo Ganna — a gesture symbolizing the enduring ties between Greece, birthplace of the Games, and Italy, the upcoming host.
Greek water polo champion Eleni Xenaki then received the flame and, joined by her national teammates, lit the ceremonial cauldron inside the marble stadium known as Kallimarmaro.
Hellenic Olympic Committee President Isidoros Kouvelos praised Greece’s role as guardian of Olympic tradition. Giovanni Malago, head of Italy’s organizing committee, thanked Greece for preserving the Olympic spirit and said preparations were progressing.
The ceremony included musical performances, notably a rendition of “Asteromata” by Greek singer Klavdia.
The flame now travels to Italy, where it will begin its relay through Lombardy and Veneto ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.