Two Italian skiing legends ignited the Olympic flame in Milano as the 2026 Winter Games officially begin.
Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba, two of Italy's most celebrated Alpine Skiing champions, had the honor of lighting the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The symbolic moment marked the official start of the Games on Italian soil.
Compagnoni, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, made history as the first Italian woman to win Olympic gold in Alpine skiing. Her victories came in Super-G at Albertville 1992, and in Giant Slalom at both Lillehammer 1994 and Nagano 1998. The South Tyrolean skier's achievements helped establish Italy as a powerhouse in women's Alpine skiing.
Tomba's Olympic Legacy Lives On
Alberto Tomba, known affectionately as "Tomba la Bomba," brought his legendary charisma to the ceremony alongside his impressive Olympic record. The Bologna native captured two gold medals at Calgary 1988 in Giant Slalom and Slalom, then added another gold in Giant Slalom at Albertville 1992, along with a silver in Slalom at the same Games.
Together, the pair represents over three decades of Italian excellence in Alpine skiing, making them the perfect choice to light the cauldron for Italy's third time hosting the Winter Olympics.
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The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics mark a return of the Games to Italy for the first time since Turin 2006. The unique dual-city hosting arrangement will see events spread across venues in Milano, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and other locations in the Italian Alps.
With the Olympic flame now burning bright above Milano, athletes from around the world are ready to compete across 15 disciplines over the next two weeks. The Games promise to showcase both Italy's rich winter sports heritage and its commitment to sustainable Olympic hosting.
