The torch relay for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics began on Wednesday after a flame-lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece.
    Rain meant the ceremony had to take place indoors, in Olympia's archaeological museum before the striking marble statue of Nike of Paionios, dating from around 420 B.C, and the flame was not lit with sunlight using a parabolic mirror, as is traditional.
    Instead, the 'high priestess,' played by Greek actress Mary Mina, used a flame lit during Monday's ceremony rehearsal to light the Olympic torch The first torch-bearer was Greek rower Petros Gaidatzis, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
    Italian two-time cross-country-skiing Olympic champion Stefania Belmondo then carried the torch with Gaidatzis and it was then passed to Italian luge great Armin Zoeggeler, who won medals at six consecutive Olympics between 1994 and 2014, including golds in 2002 and 2006.
    The flame-lighting ceremony usually takes place at the ruins of the Temple of Hera, near the stadium where the ancient Olympics took place.
    The 2025 Winter Olympics take place from February 6 to 22.
   
   

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