Milan-Cortina Olympics unveils eco-friendly torches for the games

On April 15, 2025, organizers for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Italy unveiled their innovative torch designs during a dual event held simultaneously in Milan and Osaka. The torches are made primarily from recycled aluminum and are designed with a sleek, minimalistic metallic aesthetic that focuses on enhancing the Olympic flame itself, making it the centerpiece of the relay. Remarkably, the design allows for refilling the torches' fuel canister up to 10 times, promoting sustainability and reducing the total number of torches required for the event. The Olympic torch features an elegant blue-green hue, while the Paralympic torch is finished in bronze. This year, the torch was presented in Milan's Triennale art and design museum by notable Italian athletes, including Stefania Belmondo, a former Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing, and Beatrice Vio, a two-time Paralympic wheelchair fencing champion. Meanwhile, the presentation in Osaka included Paralympic champion Martina Caironi and Carolina Kostner, who won a bronze in figure skating at the Sochi Games in 2014. The Olympic torch has a burner that runs on bio-LPG, a renewable liquid gas sourced mainly from waste materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fats. Its unique flute-like design is intended to highlight the flame while ensuring that it remains at a safe distance from athletes. Humorously addressing past experiences with torches, Beatrice Vio acknowledged the design improvements, saying that last year's torches often came too close to her face. As tradition dictates, the Olympic flame will be lit at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, on November 26, 2025. The flame's journey will officially commence in Athens with a handover ceremony occurring on December 4, followed by a tour across Italy. The torch will arrive in Rome on December 6 and will travel through the country until it reaches Milan just one day prior to the opening ceremony on February 5, 2026. The Games are set to run from February 6 to February 22, with the Paralympics scheduled for March 6 to March 15, 2026. The opening ceremony aims to capture the attention of Italy and the world at the iconic San Siro stadium, celebrated primarily for its rich history in football.