Flame for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics lit in Ancient Olympia

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Nov. 26, 2025 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic flame for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games was ignited at the birthplace of the Games in Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday.

Actress Mary Mina (C), in the role of an ancient Greek High Priestess, holds the flame during the dress rehearsal of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Actresses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry delivers a speech during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

The first torchbearer, Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis holds the torch and an olive branch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Actress Mary Mina (front), in the role of an ancient Greek High Priestess, lights the flame during the dress rehearsal of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Torchbearers, Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis (R, front) and Italian former cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo (L, front) carry the torch during the torch relay after the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lyu You)

A performer releases a dove during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lyu You)

Torchbearers Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis (C), Italian former cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo (L) and Italian former luger Armin Zoeggeler are seen in front of the Coubertin monument during the torch relay after the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)

Actresses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Actress Mary Mina (R, front), in the role of an ancient Greek High Priestess, passes the flame to the first torchbearer, Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis (L, front) during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry delivers a speech during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Actress Mary Mina, in the role of an ancient Greek High Priestess, lights the flame during the dress rehearsal of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Nov. 24, 2025. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)