Gymnast Zhang leads 4 Chinese torch bearers for 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay took a winding path through parts of Greece on Thursday. Olympic gymnastics silver medalist Zhang Boheng led four Chinese torch bearers embarking on the journey.

The flame was just lit on Wednesday and left the mountain town of Kalavryta, west of Athens, and headed north to the coastal town of Patras, the gateway to mainland Greece.

A series of torchbearers carried the flame across the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, connecting the mainland to the Peloponnese. Other Chinese joining Zhang in the torch relay on the day were basketball player Wang Siyu, cross-country runner Wu Yongbo and sprinter Chen Yujie, who just won both the 100m and 200m races at China's 15th National Games earlier this month.

"I feel honored and proud to represent the Chinese delegation in the torch relay," Zhang said. "It's also a huge encouragement for myself."

"I hope all Chinese winter Olympic athletes can achieve good results," Wu added. "I hope they are able to realize their Olympic dreams in Milan."

After a week-long Greek relay, the flame will be handed over in Athens to Italian Games organizers on December 4.