Storyline: The Olympic flame for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics was lit on Wednesday in a ceremony at the historic site of Ancient Olympia, marking the start of its journey to Italy. The lighting ceremony was attended by the president of Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas, the President of the International Olympic Committee Kirsty Coventry, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Isidoros Kouvelos, and other leading figures. Due to adverse weather, this year's lighting ceremony was held inside the Archaeological Museum adjacent to the ancient stadium where athletes once competed. Actress Mary Mina, portraying a High Priestess from Ancient Greece, handed the flame and an olive branch to Greece's Paris 2024 Olympic rowing bronze medalist, Petros Gkaidatzis, who became the first torchbearer of the relay. The flame used during the official ceremony was a reserve, previously ignited during a rehearsal of the traditional ritual on Monday in front of the 2,500-year-old Temple of Hera. The use of a backup flame at an indoor ceremony has historical precedent; the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics flame was also lit inside the same museum. During Monday's ceremony, Mina focused sunlight with a concave mirror to ignite the flame. The ceremony featured a choreographed dance performance inspired by ancient Greek traditions. The flame will travel across Greece before being handed over to Italy at Athens' Panathenaic Stadium on December 4. According to the planned route released by Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee, the Olympic Torch Relay will pass through more than 300 municipalities, stopping in 60 cities and lighting up World Heritage sites along a 12,000 km route that will visit all 110 Italian provinces from 6 December 2025 to the opening of the Games on 6 February 2026. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026. Shotlist: Ancient Olympia, Greece - Nov 26, 2025 : 1. Guests attending Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games 2. People taking photos 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirsty Coventry, President, International Olympic Committee (IOC): "It's been incredible. It's been incredible to be here obviously and to be here for the first time for the flame lighting, it really is wonderful. And I hope that the flame will get to inspire everybody and it will be able to remind everyone of our Olympic values of friendship and excellence and respect." 4. The first torchbearer, Greek rower Petros Gkaidatzis (R) and second torchbearer, Italian former cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo carrying torch during torch relay after the Olympic flame lighting ceremony [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]