The sacred Olympic flame has been ignited, marking the official countdown to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The ceremony took place under the Greek sun in the historic birthplace of the Games.
Ancient Ritual in Olympia
In a tradition dating back to antiquity, High Priestess Mary Mina performed the flame lighting ceremony at the archaeological museum of Olympia, Greece. The event occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, connecting the modern Games with their ancient origins.
The ceremony follows the same methods used in ancient times, using parabolic mirrors to focus the sun's rays and create the pure flame that will symbolize the Olympic spirit throughout its journey to Italy.
The Flame's Journey Begins
With the flame now lit, it begins its carefully orchestrated journey from Greece to Italy. The Olympic torch relay will carry the flame across countries and continents before it arrives in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Games.
The lighting ceremony represents more than just the start of another Olympic Games - it symbolizes hope, unity, and the coming together of nations through sport.
Historical Significance
The choice of Olympia as the starting point maintains the deep historical connection between the modern Olympics and their ancient counterpart. This location has hosted the flame lighting ceremony for every Olympic Games since the tradition was revived for the Berlin 1936 Olympics.
As the flame begins its journey to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, it carries with it the dreams of athletes from around the world who will compete in the prestigious international sporting event scheduled for 2026.
