Milan-Cortina 2026 unveils twin Olympic cauldrons

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A pair of identical Olympic cauldrons that will be lit simultaneously in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo was unveiled during an online media briefing on Tuesday night, with Milan-Cortina 2026 set to feature twin cauldrons in separate locations.

Marco Balich, the creative director of Milan-Cortina 2026, said the cauldrons will be ignited during the opening ceremony on February 6 and remain lit in both cities throughout the Games.

Balich said the design draws inspiration from the Olympic flame's origins in Olympia, where mirrors are used to capture the sun's energy, translating that concept into a dynamic form. He added that the structure is also informed by Leonardo da Vinci's geometrical knots, combining technological movement with a compact flame in line with the Games' sustainability goals.

"The cauldron is a contemporary symbol that speaks of design, sunshine, sustainability and beauty," Balich said.

Unlike past Games, the cauldron design was revealed in advance because the structures will soon be built in prominent public spaces.

The opening ceremony, themed "Armonia," or harmony in English, will be held at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. Flag raising and the lighting of the Olympic flame will also take place in Cortina.

Athletes' parades will be staged across four locations - Livigno, Predazzo, Cortina and Milan - allowing athletes to take part even if they are scheduled to compete the following day, a common reason competitors skip opening ceremonies.

"With these widespread ceremonies, we enable all athletes to participate in the parade," Balich said. "That's a beautiful gift for the athletes, allowing them to represent their country with a big smile."

The opening ceremony is scheduled to last two and a half hours and feature more than 1,200 volunteers, symphonic music and Italian cultural references, with an emphasis on live performance rather than large-scale video effects.

Milan-Cortina 2026, which features 116 events across 16 disciplines, will run from February 6 to 22. ■