Organizers unveiled the official Olympic and Paralympic torch designs in a simultaneous reveal in Milan, Italy, and Osaka, Japan, coinciding with the build-up to Expo 2025, ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Named “Essential,” the torch features a minimalist metallic design focused on sustainability, establishing a new benchmark for Olympic innovation.
The “Essential” torch emphasizes the Olympic flame’s essence, blending environmental priorities with a visually striking, modern design. The torch features an iridescent finish in two tones: a blue-green for the Olympics and a bronze for the Paralympics.
The torch is not only stylish but also made from eco-friendly materials, including a polymer with 60% bio-naphtha. Italy uses recycled aluminum and brass alloy to make the torch, highlighting its commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.
The Milano Cortina torch stands out with its open-concept design, showcasing the burner, the torch’s technical heart, prominently. Bio-LPG from renewable sources like cooking oil, animal fats, and agricultural waste fuels the flame, ensuring a clean burn..
The design allows the torch to be refilled up to ten times, significantly reducing the number of torches needed. This continues the Paris 2024 reuse model but may disappoint traditionalists hoping to own a personal Olympic torch keepsake.
Weighing approximately 1.06 kilograms (without fuel), the Milano-Cortina torch strikes a balance between durability and comfort. It’s slightly heavier than PyeongChang 2018’s 0.84 kg model but still far lighter than the cumbersome 1.8 kg torch from Sochi 2014. The manageable weight ensures torchbearers can focus on the experience rather than wrestling with their equipment.
On November 26, 2025, the sun will ignite the Olympic flame using a parabolic mirror in ancient Olympia, Greece. From there, the flame travels to Rome on December 4 before kicking off the official torch relay two days later.
10,001 torchbearers will carry the flame 12,000 kilometers through Italy, ending at San Siro Stadium on February 6.
The final torchbearer’s identity, who will ignite the Olympic Cauldron and commence the Games, remains a tightly guarded secret. One thing is certain, the flame will ignite the cauldron in a torch symbolizing sport, innovation, and Olympic-era sustainability.