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Under a Cloud, the Olympic Flame Begins Its Journey to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
The flame was lit indoors at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia due to rain, starting a 12,000 km relay through Greece and Italy with over 10,000 torch-bearers.
- On Monday, the Olympic flame was lit during the rehearsal at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia, with organisers saying it will serve as the official torch after Wednesday’s indoor ceremony was delayed by rain.
- Forecasts of clouds and continuous rainfall meant sunlight could not ignite the parabolic mirror, so the Hellenic Olympic Committee said the Ancient Stadium ceremony was impossible.
- Greek actress Mary Mina acted as high priestess, presenting an olive branch while sunlight focused through a concave mirror lit the flame and Petros Gaidatzis became the first torch‑bearer.
- From Olympia the flame will begin a roughly 12,000-kilometre torch relay through Greece and Italy, carried by more than 10,000 torch-bearers toward Milan for the Winter Games opening.
- The relay and Games blend ancient ritual with modern logistics as the 2026 organising committee plans 2.4 million cubic metres of artificial snow using 948,000 cubic metres of water amid Alpine snow cover decline.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources64
Leaning Left15Leaning Right6Center21Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 36%
C 50%
14%
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