The torches for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were unveiled during separate premiere events in Milan, Italy and Osaka, Japan. Four notable Italian athletes played a key role in presenting the torch designs, which capture the essence of Italian elegance and contemporary innovation. The design, called “Essential,” respects simplicity by gracefully integrating form and function.
Olympic cross-country skiing champion Stefania Belmondo, who lit the Olympic cauldron in Turin in 2006, praised the torch’s clear lines and intuitive build. She appreciated its simplicity and lightweight design at the Triennale di Milano, describing it as easy to carry and aesthetically pleasing.
Paralympic wheelchair fencing champion Bebe Vio mirrored Belmondo’s praise, calling the flame beautiful and subtle. Simultaneously, three-time Paralympic athletics champion Martina Caironi and Olympic figure skating bronze medallist Carolina Kostner presented the flame to the Japanese audience at Expo 2025 in Osaka.
The Olympic and Paralympic torches (blue-green and bronze) reflect sustainable design concepts. They are made of recyclable aluminium and brass, can be refilled up to ten times, and run on renewable gas, considerably decreasing production waste.
The torches will be displayed in Expo 2025’s Italia Pavilion before being moved to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne after the Games.
