Greece on Thursday held the Olympic flame handover ceremony for the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Winter Games at Athens’ historic Panathenaic Stadium.
World wrestling champion Georgios Kougioumtsidis carried the flame into the marble arena, passing it to Italy’s Olympic champion Jasmine Paolini and cyclist Filippo Ganna. Greek water polo star Eleni Xenaki then lit the ceremonial cauldron with her teammates.
Hellenic Olympic Committee president Isidoros Kouvelos said the flame’s journey across Greece embodied hope, unity and continuity. Giovanni Malago, head of the Milan‑Cortina organizing committee, thanked Greece for safeguarding Olympic traditions and said Italy was ready to “write the next chapter of Olympic history.”
The ceremony included musical performances, highlighted by Greek singer Klavdia’s rendition of Asteromata. The flame now travels to Italy, beginning its relay through Lombardy and Veneto ahead of the 2026 Games.