Rome, December 6 (EFE). – The Olympic torch of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games began its 62-day journey through Italy this Saturday with a tour of Rome, visiting the Colosseum and the surroundings of St. Peter’s Square, among many other sights of the Italian capital.
The torchlight journey began from the Estadio dei Marmi in the Roman Forum Italico, in which a total of 164 bearers will take part today alone.
The first, in order, were the swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri, the fencer Elisa Di Francisca, the high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi and the basketball player Achille Polonara, the latter recently discharged from the hospital because he was battling myeloid leukemia.
“It was very exciting to be able to stand here because until a few weeks ago I was in a wheelchair, so being here is already a success. It was complicated, I hope I have reached the end and things will go better from now on. Being an athlete has helped me a lot and my youth also contributed to it. I have always been a fighter,” commented Polonara as he ended his journey.
After visiting all Italian regions, the torch will arrive in Milan on February 5, a day before the opening ceremony at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium (San Siro), during which the official cauldron of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be lit. EFE
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