The Olympic flame is seen during the ceremony marking the official start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
President of the organizing committee for the 2026 Winter Olympics Giovanni Malago speaks during the ceremony marking the official start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
President of the organizing committee for the 2026 Winter Olympics Giovanni Malago speaks during the ceremony marking the official start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Former athlete, Italy's Giancarlo Peris (L) holds the lantern containing the Olympic flame during the ceremony marking the official start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Italian swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri lights the torch during the ceremony marking the official start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
President of the organizing committee for the 2026 Winter Olympics Giovanni Malago lights the torch during the ceremony marking the official start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Italian swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri holds the torch at the start of the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Torchbearer, Italian athlete Gianmarco Tamberi holds the torch during the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Italian athlete Gianmarco Tamberi (L) receives the flame from Italian former fencer Elisa Di Francisca during the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Torchbearer, Italian athlete Gianmarco Tamberi holds the torch during the torch relay for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Rome, Italy, Dec. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)