The countdown to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics comes to life with the start of the grandiose journey of the Olympic Flame. An epic relay which, after having touched all the regions of Italy, will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic brazier. But the attention, these days, is focused on the South: the torch will in fact spend Christmas in Calabria, on an itinerary that combines sport, history and local communities.
The announcement was made in a meeting with the press by spokespersons for Coca-Cola, historical partner of the Olympic Games since 1928, who illustrated the entire roadmap.
A record-breaking journey: 63 days and 12 thousand kilometres
Starting last December 6th in Rome, the journey of the Flame is a real marathon across the Peninsula. It will end in Milan on February 6, after a total of 63 days. Impressive figures: the Olympic fire will cross twenty regions, touching all 110 Italian provinces and 350 cities. Ten thousand torchbearers involved, who will travel a total of 12 thousand kilometres.
Company spokespersons underlined how this trip is not just logistical, but has the aim of strengthening and sharing the Olympic message with the population of the host nations, creating a deep connection with local communities.
The Flame arrives in Calabria: stages between history and UNESCO
The anticipation for the arrival in the South is palpable. Entry into Calabria is scheduled for December 19th. After crossing the Strait of Messina, the torch will make its first entry into Reggio Calabria, where the cauldron will be lit inside the “City Celebrations”, the villages specially set up to welcome the event.
From 20 December, the Calabrian itinerary will wind through highly prestigious locations: the flame will touch Gioia Tauro and then the suggestive Tropea. The organizers have specified that the route will give particular emphasis to the sites declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Subsequently, the journey will continue towards Lamezia Terme, with a final stop at the City Celebration of Catanzaro.
Before heading towards Puglia, a stop is planned in Matera, before returning to Calabria with a landing in Cosenza.
Festivities and local faces: the torchbearers of the South
The journey of the flame will have a short break to coincide with the most heartfelt celebrations of the year: it will stop on 24 and 25 December for the Christmas holidays. Immediately afterwards, the race towards Puglia will resume.
Among the ten thousand torchbearers selected by Coca-Cola through a special campaign launched in recent months, local faces also stand out. The honor of carrying the fire symbol of the Games will also fall to the Calabrian and Apulian Giuseppe Simacco and Rossana Gaeta, who will represent their communities in this historical moment.