Olympic torch relay draws crowds as flame passes Red Cross, heads to Verona

WEB DESK: Spectators lined streets across northern Italy on Sunday as the Olympic torch relay continued its eastward journey, passing historic landmarks and drawing crowds eager to witness a key moment in the lead-up to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

Day 42 of the relay began in the lakeside town of Desenzano del Garda, where the flame was carried through early-morning streets before setting off toward Lombardy’s interior. Along the route, residents and visitors gathered to applaud torchbearers, many capturing the moment on their phones as the flame moved steadily from town to town.

One of the day’s most symbolic stops came in Castiglione delle Stiviere, home to the International Museum of the Red Cross. The torchbearer arrived at a Red Cross facility to loud applause from staff and volunteers, who formed a corridor of clapping hands around the Olympic flame. Organisers said the stop was intended to highlight humanitarian values such as solidarity, service and compassion, which they say are closely aligned with the Olympic spirit.

Aerial footage showed the relay winding through the area as crowds followed the flame’s progress before it continued on its path toward Verona, where the day’s celebrations were scheduled to conclude with public events and ceremonies.

The Olympic flame began its journey across Italy last month in Rome and has since travelled thousands of kilometres, including stops in Sardinia and Sicily as well as major southern cities such as Naples and Bari. The relay is covering a total distance of about 12,000 kilometres, designed to showcase Italy’s diverse geography, history and communities ahead of the Games.

Organisers say the relay is central to building nationwide excitement for the Winter Olympics, which will be staged across multiple venues. Milan, Italy’s financial capital, and the Alpine resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo will serve as the main hubs of the Games.

The torch relay is set to conclude on February 6, when the flame will arrive at Milan’s San Siro stadium for the opening ceremony, officially marking the start of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.