Italian paddlers will get the unique and prestigious opportunity to be part of the Journey of the Olympic Flame for the Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
On December 6, the first stage of the 63-day adventure crossing 60 cities, 12,000 kilometres, and all 110 provinces of Italy, including UNESCO World Heritage sites and iconic landscapes, began.
The Flame, a universal symbol of peace, unity, and Olympic values, started its journey on December 6 in the presence of IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
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ICF Vice-President and Italian Olympic Committee chief Luciano Buonfiglio and Milano Cortina 2026 President and IOC Member Giovanni Malago were also among the dignitaries, who flagged off the event with a speech at the Stadio dei Marmi, a venue that was used when Rome hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1960.
Before the final stage, concluding at the San Siro Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026, many Italian paddlers will have the chance to be part of the journey.
Carlo Tacchini, canoe double 500m silver medalist at Paris 2024, will carry the Torch in Trento.
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Siblings and fellow Canoe Sprint stars Irene Burgo and Samuele Burgo will be Torchbearers in their city, Syracuse.
Canoe Slalom Olympic champion in kayak single from London 2012 and ICF Canoe Slalom Committee member Daniele Molmenti, will accompany the Flame to Cortina, one of the central venues of the Games.
Daniele Scarpa, who won two medals, including a gold in the kayak double 1000m at Atlanta 1996, and Italian Canoe Federation President and a three-time Olympic champion, Antonio Rossi, will be participating in the relay in Milan.
Read about the start of the journey here.
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