2026 Winter Paralympics torch relay
| Host city | Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy |
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| Countries visited |
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| Distance | 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) |
| Torchbearers | 501 |
| Theme | The Greatest Journey |
| Start date | 24 February 2026 |
| End date | 6 March 2026 |
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| Part of a series on |
| 2026 Winter Paralympics |
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The torch relay (Italian: Il Viaggio della Fiamma Paralimpica) for the 2026 Winter Paralympics, jointly hosted by the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, is planned to run from 24 February to 6 March. Following the lighting of the Paralympic Flame in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom, the relay will conclude in Verona, Italy, to coincide with the opening ceremony at the Verona Arena.[1] The route for the Paralympic torch relay was presented by the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 on 26 November 2024, one year before the start of the Olympic torch relay, which was unveiled at the same time.[1]
The flame will be lit at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the "spiritual birthplace" of the Paralympic movement, as is the case for all Paralympic torches from 2014 onwards.[1][2] The subsequent route in Italy will cover 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) over 11 days.[1][3][4] The torch relay plans to involve 501 torchbearers, with applications scheduled to open in February 2025.[1][3]
On 29 November 2024, Italian comedy trio Gli Autogol were announced as official narrators for the torch relay.[5] The design of the torch is scheduled to be unveiled on 14 April at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, as well as simultaneously in Milan; Osaka and Milan are twin cities.[6][7]
Events
From 24 February to 2 March 2026, the flame will be split in five ramals: Milan, Turin, Bolzano, Trento, and Trieste.[3] The flames will then be combined in a unifying ceremony in Cortina d'Ampezzo on 3 March.[3][8] The subsequent torch relay will visit Venice on 4 March, followed by Padua the following day; both cities will host celebrations. The relay will end on 6 March in Verona to coincide with the 2026 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony.[3][4]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Milano Cortina 2026 unveils "Greatest Journey" as Olympic Torch Relay route announced". International Olympic Committee. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ Fullbrook, Danny (6 October 2023). "Stoke Mandeville revealed as permanent home of Paralympic flame". BBC News. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Paralympic Torch Relay". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b Matar, Daniella (26 November 2024). "Olympic flame for 2026 Milan-Cortina Games will go on 63-day journey across Italy". AP News. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Gli Autogol racconteranno il Viaggio della Fiamma" (in Italian). International Olympic Committee. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch at Expo 2025 Osaka". International Olympic Committee. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "Al via il viaggio della fiamma olimpica di Milano Cortina" (in Italian). Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026: Route of the Paralympic Torch Relay unveiled". International Paralympic Committee. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.