Milano Cortina 2026 torch relay reaches Naples before Christmas

The Olympic torch relay for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reached a rainy Naples, marking the final stop before Christmas. The relay then paused for two days for the holiday festivities.

Earlier on Monday, the Olympic flame was carried through the ruins of Pompeii. The eighteenth stage of the relay took a route through the Campania region, starting in Torre Annunziata and heading toward its major city. Along the way, the torch passed through the municipalities of Torre del Greco, Ercolano, Portici, and San Giorgio a Cremano.

The grand finale took place in Naples, with a citywide celebration held in Piazza del Plebiscito, a symbolic landmark of the city. Italian football legend Fabio Cannavaro carried the torch through his hometown. Cannavaro began his professional career at Italian Serie A club Napoli and later captained Italy to victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The former Ballon d'Or winner is serving as head coach of the Uzbekistan national team and had previously held coaching positions in China.

The torch relay paused for Christmas and was scheduled to resume in Latina on Friday, before continuing on to Milan's San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony on February 6. In total, the relay was set to cover 12,000 kilometers, passing through all 110 Italian provinces.