The Olympic torch relay for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games was ceremoniously launched on Saturday with Italian swimming gold medalist Gregorio Paltrinieri and high jump champion Gianmarco Tamberi leading the symbolic procession.
The Olympic Flame officially began its journey in Rome's historic Stadio dei Marmi, bound for the Winter Olympics in Italy's northern region.
Paltrinieri, the 1500-meter freestyle Olympic champion, received the first torch before passing it to Tamberi, Tokyo 2020's shared high jump gold medalist, in a moment celebrating Italy's athletic excellence.
"It's amazing, I'm very happy and proud to be one of the very first here in Italy," said Tamberi.
"It should bring all the people together. We are playing, we are battling against other people from all over the world but with respect, so that's the point of the Olympics," said Paltrinieri.
The two athletes are the first of 10,001 torchbearers who will carry the flame across Italy's diverse landscapes over the coming months. The relay will traverse approximately 12,000 kilometers through more than 60 locations, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, coastal regions and Alpine communities, before concluding at Milan's San Siro Stadium on Feb 6, 2026.
Organizers emphasized the emotional significance of the flame's return to Italian soil after being lit last month in Greece.
"Every day starting from Olympia, passing through the Panathenaic Stadium and then when we arrived on Italian soil and then yesterday at the Quirinale Square, it's a new emotion," said Giovanni Malago, president of the Milano Cortina Foundation 2026.
"It's a lot of emotion that gives us the right energy to go on the next 60 days because there is still a lot of work to do," said Andrea Varnier, CEO of the foundation.
Crowds turned out to send off the relay, with onlookers expressing feelings of inspiration as the flame passed through the historic monuments of Rome.
"It's always a pleasure to see this symbol, this icon of the Olympic Games," said a spectator.
"I think it symbolizes peace in all the countries, the fact that everyone is gathering here today," another said.
The relay will include a commemorative stop in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Jan 26, 2026, exactly 70 years after the town hosted Italy's first Winter Olympics in 1956. This symbolic connection between past and present highlights how the flame bridges generations of Italian athletic tradition.
Olympic champions ignite torch relay for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games
After the devastating fire at the housing complex Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the central government, Hong Kong authorities, and people from across China have joined forces in a massive outpouring of relief and support.
The blaze, the deadliest Hong Kong had witnessed for decades, broke out at around 14:50 on Nov 26 at the eight-towered residential estate Wang Fuk Court, which was under renovation, in Tai Po district. The fire quickly engulfed seven of the towers, leaving at least 159 dead, 79 injured and thousands of families homeless.
According to the latest official update, the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established by the HKSAR government, has received 3 billion Hong Kong dollars in external donations. Together with the HKSAR government's start-up capital of 300 million Hong Kong dollars, the fund stands at around 3.3 billion Hong Kong dollars in total. It will be used to help residents rebuild their homes and provide long-term support.
Following the fire, the HKSAR government has made comprehensive, multi-tiered rescue and resettlement efforts.
On the night of the blaze, the government promptly established temporary shelters at multiple locations across Tai Po district, coordinating accommodations in youth hostels, hotels, and transitional housing for affected residents. Emergency subsidies and living allowances were distributed to those impacted, while support was also provided through a "one household, one social worker" mechanism.
People from across Hong Kong have joined volunteer efforts, hoping to bring warmth to the wounded community, with donated supplies such as clothing, food, drinking water continuously arriving at temporary shelters.
Many taxi drivers have also volunteered to provide free rides.
"We work here from 08:00 in the morning to past 22:00 at night. We only leave when there are no passengers. That's how it is. It does affect earnings a bit. It definitely has an impact. But that's not important. The most important thing is to help others first," said Wong Chi-chuen, a taxi driver .
At the request of the HKSAR government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council has coordinated the Ministry of Emergency Management to provide batches of supplies for the Tai Po fire relief effort, including portable outdoor charging stations, heavy-duty conveyors, blowers, respirators, goggles, protective suits, headlamps, and waterproof boots.
Mainland companies and residents, and various sectors in Macao also provided support following the devastating fire in Hong Kong, donating funds and supplies for emergency relief and post-disaster recovery.
"A large amount of supplies was collected and delivered to our disaster-stricken areas in a very short time. It made me realize what it means to be bound by blood. Because this kind of bond runs deep. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone," said Peter Lam, chairman of Tai Po Rural Committee.
Support from across China pours in after devastating fire in Hong Kong
