Poor weather forces 2026 Olympic flame ceremony indoors

Organisers of the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics have moved the traditional torch-lighting ceremony indoors after forecasts warned of persistent heavy rain in Olympia, Greece.

The event, which is normally staged outdoors at the ancient stadium and relies on sunlight focused through a parabolic mirror to ignite the flame, will now take place inside the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. With the expected poor weather making the traditional method impossible, officials confirmed that a backup flame lit during a rehearsal earlier in the week will be used for the official ceremony.

According to the Hellenic Olympic Committee, this marks the first time in decades that the formal lighting ritual has been relocated indoors, underscoring the impact of the severe weather system affecting the western Peloponnese.

A rehearsal was held on Monday at the Temple of Hera, where a Greek actress serving as high priestess successfully lit a flame using sunlight. That flame will now be used to launch the relay.

Following Wednesday’s ceremony, the Olympic flame will begin a week-long relay across Greece, culminating in its handover to Italian organisers in Athens on December 4. It will then be flown to Italy for a planned 12,000-kilometre relay passing through major cities and landmarks ahead of the Game’s opening next year.