Light blue and bronze torches unveiled for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games

The Olympic and Paralympic torches for the 2026 Winter Games were unveiled on Monday at simultaneous ceremonies in Milan and Osaka, marking a symbolic milestone in the countdown to the Milan-Cortina Games.

Designed by Carlo Ratti Associati studio in Turin, the torches were presented at Milan’s Triennale design museum and the Italian pavilion at the World Expo in Japan. Former Olympic cross-country skiing champion Stefania Belmondo and double Paralympic wheelchair fencing gold medallist Beatrice Vio revealed the torches in Milan, while Paralympic athletics champion Martina Caironi and figure skating medallist Carolina Kostner did the honours in Osaka.

Crafted from recycled aluminium and weighing 1,060 grams, the Olympic torch features a light blue finish, while the Paralympic version is bronze. Both are made entirely in Italy and designed for sustainability, with refillable capacity for up to 10 uses and burners powered by bio-LPG, a renewable fuel derived from waste products such as used cooking oil and animal fats.

The flute-like design ensures the flame remains clearly visible while safely distanced from the torchbearer. “Thanks for being concerned about people’s faces!” joked Vio, referencing past designs that brought the flame too close for comfort.

The Olympic flame will be lit at the Temple of Hera in Olympia on November 26 before a handover ceremony in Athens on December 4. The torch relay begins in Rome on December 6, culminating in Milan on February 5 — a day before the opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro stadium.

(Source: AFP)