“Today in Longarone we had the honor of officially presenting to Veneto the Olympic and Paralympic torches of Milano-Cortina 2026. A moment that is not only symbolic, but also marks the concrete beginning of a journey showing how the Olympic Games are evolving, adapting to the times, and becoming an opportunity for growth for entire regions.”
This was the statement by the President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, during the opening ceremony of the immersive exhibition “Sport and the Mountains between Tradition and Innovation. Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Two Olympics”, held at the Longarone Fiere, in front of the press and local stakeholders engaged in preparing for the Games.
The torches, named Essential for their clean and minimal design, were created by Carlo Ratti Associati Studio and produced by Eni with Versalis and Cavagna Group. The Olympic torch features shades of green and blue, while the Paralympic torch is distinguished by bronze tones; both have reflective and iridescent finishes that evoke the movement and energy of sport. Alongside them today stood the original Cortina 1956 torch: two eras compared, united by a common thread of sporting passion, community, and future.
Zaia highlighted the innovative approach of the 2026 Games:
“The Olympics are changing – and with them, so does the territory that hosts them. In Cortina in 1956 they were the Games of rebirth, today they will be the Games of sustainability and innovation. Not just competitions: we are carrying forward numerous projects, both infrastructural and related to competition venues, that will remain as a legacy for the future. We are renewing, rejuvenating, and giving new perspectives to the generations who live the mountains and who will experience them in the decades to come.”
The President concluded by recalling the social and identity value of the event: “it is no coincidence that this journey began in Longarone, a Dolomite town in Belluno that represents the gateway to Cortina. The Olympics are not only about sport, but also an investment in pride and identity. They are an extraordinary driving force that involves the entire community of our mountain areas, whose central role and beauty are being recognized. This is an opportunity for development, culture, and tourism that will change the history of Veneto and the Dolomites, leaving a legacy for future generations.”
