How are Olympic torchbearers selected?

After it was lit On November 26 in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic Flame is now officially on its way to the Olympic cauldron in Milan and Cortina.

But who are the people carrying the torches? Why do we make such a big deal out of torchbearers anyway? Also, how did the men do from Hot competition Ultimately carry the torch? Well, this is a little complicated.

Traditionally, the organizers of the Olympic Games host city select torchbearers for each Games. Sometimes they are chosen for their athletic achievements, sometimes for their fame. (Connor Storey and Hudson Williams from Gay hockey show You probably fall into the latter category.) You can also just Apply to be a torch bearerCitizens who have distinguished themselves through commitment, solidarity or significant work are often selected.

Before each Games, a torch is lit in the historic city OlympiaGreece, and takes place along a route that passes through different cities, communities and regions on its way to the host country. Each torchbearer walks a short distance along this route, contributing to a long chain that unites an entire country until he reaches the stadium where the opening ceremony will be held, which marks the official start of the torch. Olympic Games. Want to know more? Read on.

How are torchbearers selected?

Torchbearers are selected based on symbolic criteria, Olympic values, and community participation. Organizers may offer their own preferences or themes for the Games they host, but generally the selection follows some basic and common principles of the Olympic spirit.

First, the organizing committee selects a short list of people who best represent the spirit of the Olympic Games. Besides athletes who have made sports history, citizens who have made a positive contribution to society are often selected: people involved in volunteer work or social initiatives, young people who have distinguished themselves through cultural or environmental projects, and personalities who embody values ​​such as solidarity, inclusion and civic engagement.

Institutional partners, schools, associations, local authorities and sponsors participate in the selection process, assessing candidates from their areas of expertise. Each torchbearer is chosen not so much for his or her popularity as for the message they can carry along the journey. The result is a relay race composed of people of different ages, backgrounds and social roles, united by the responsibility of guarding and representing the Olympic Games.

The importance of the Olympic torch

The torch at Olympia is lit using sunlight refracted from a parabolic mirror, a gesture that deliberately recalls the rituals of antiquity. From that moment, the flame’s journey begins, as it moves from one torch to another, becoming a symbol that brings together different cultures and places.

What happens if the flame goes out?

Simply put: nothing. During the trip, it may happen that the flame goes out due to the wind. rainor minor technical obstacles. In such cases, the tradition is not considered interrupted, because special lanterns are carried along the entire route carrying an original flame, lit at the same time as the main flame of Olympia. When needed, the flame is relighted by these spare lanterns to ensure continuity and keep the connection to the original flame intact.

Towards the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

For the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, more than 10,000 torchbearers have been selected to carry the Olympic Torch and more than 500 have been selected to carry the Paralympic Torch. The flame was lit in Olympia on November 26, and left Rome in early December, officially beginning its journey through the Italian boot, passing through cities before reaching the mountains where the competitions will be held.

This story originally appeared on Wired Italy. It has been translated from Italian.