Carolina Kostner will bring the Olympics tonight Milano-Cortina 2026 on the Ariston stage.

On the evening of February 12, 2025, on the most prestigious stage in Italy, that of the Sanremo Festival, applications to become torchbearers on the journey of the Olympic Flame and the Paralympic Flame will officially open. Milano Cortina 2026. This historic moment will be kicked off Carolina Kostner, the most medaled Italian figure skater ever and Ambassador of Milano Cortina 2026, which will present to the Ariston audience and millions of viewers at home the selection process to become part of the relay that will carry the Flame throughout Italy.

A historic announcement at the Sanremo Festival

The official opening of the candidatures was anticipated today in a press conference at the Forte di Santa Tecla in Sanremo, in the presence of Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Foundation Milano Cortina 2026, Robert Sergio, Corporate General Manager of RAI, and Carolina Kostner. The Sanremo Festival, with its immense media resonance, confirms itself once again as the perfect showcase to spread a message of inclusion and participation.

The CEO of the Foundation Milano Cortina 2026, Andrea Varnier, declared: “We chose Sanremo because it represents an event that unites the country, just like the Olympic Flame Relay will do. The torchbearers are not just carriers of the Flame, but ambassadors of Olympic and Paralympic values. Through their journey, they will tell stories of passion, sacrifice and hope, inspiring millions of people. The Journey of the Flame will be an experience of sharing and unity, and those who participate will write an unforgettable page of history.”

An enthusiasm shared by Roberto Sergio, who underlined the importance of the media coverage of this event: “Rai will once again be a protagonist as Host Broadcaster of the Games, recounting not only the feats of the athletes, but also the beauty of the Italian territories and the emotions of those who will be part of this extraordinary journey.”

How to apply to become a torchbearer

The search is open to 10.001 torchbearers for the Journey of the Olympic Flame and 501 torchbearers for the Paralympic Flame Journey. Anyone born before 5 December 2011 can apply by filling out the form on the Foundation's official website Milano Cortina 2026 (https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/it).

Each candidate will be able to tell their story and explain why they would like to participate in this unique event. A unique opportunity to become an active part of the journey that will take the Flame to the symbolic places of Italy, illuminating the path towards the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Journey of the Olympic Flame: An Epic Journey

The Journey of the Olympic Flame will start on November 26, 2025 from Olympia, the symbolic place of the Games, to then arrive in Italy on December 4 in Rome and begin a journey that will touch all 110 Italian provinces. For 63 days and 12.000 km, the Flame will cross the country, with significant stops such as Naples at Christmas, Bari for New Year's Eve, Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 26 (70 years after the 1956 Games) and the grand finale in Milano, on February 6, 2026, with the arrival at the San Siro Stadium during the Opening Ceremony. The Journey will be supported by presenting partners Coca-Cola and Eni, companies that will accompany the journey with initiatives dedicated to sustainability and inclusion.

Sanremo 2025: a bridge between culture and sport

Il Festival of Sanremo, now in its 75th edition, will not only be the stage for the official announcement. During the week, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 has set up a special exhibition project, “From Sanremo to Milano Cortina 2026”, at the Forte di Santa Tecla.

The exhibition, open until February 16, celebrates the Olympic values ​​with an interactive path, including multimedia installations, an Olympic Torch Exhibition, and a room dedicated to the great successes of Italian winter sports, with period footage provided by Rai Teche. The project was created with the support of Allianz, A2A, Coca-Cola, Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco DOC, Eni and TIM, and the collaboration of Rai Pubblicità and Rai Teche.

The announcement of the candidacies for the torchbearers at Sanremo 2025 represents the first step in a journey that will involve the entire country. Milano Cortina 2026 will not only be a sporting event, but an opportunity to strengthen the bond between people, cities and Italian culture.

With the Journey of the Flame, each torchbearer will become the symbol of passion and Olympic spirit, bringing with them a message of unity, respect and inclusion. A journey that, from the Ariston stage, will reach the entire Peninsula until it reaches the most anticipated Winter Games ever.