Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis started the Olympic torch relay on Wednesday for the 2026 Winter Games, from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Olympic flame will be handed over in Athens on Thursday, December 4, to the organization of next year’s Games in Italy. The flame will then make a journey of 12,000 kilometers through all Italian provinces, ending in the San Siro stadium during the opening ceremony.
Gkaidatzis won bronze at the 2024 Paris Games. He received the Olympic flame after a ceremony.
Due to the forecast rain in Olympia, the traditional ignition by sunlight could not take place. Organizers used the flame that was lit during a dress rehearsal. (AP)
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