Designer Revealed for Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch

The designing of the Olympic torch for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has been entrusted to the renowned Carlo Ratti Associati, in partnership with the Cavagna Group. This selection underscores a commitment to architecture, innovative design, and sustainability, enhancing the cultural significance of the Olympic experience.

About the Designer: Carlo Ratti

Carlo Ratti, an accomplished architect and engineer from Turin, specializes in the intersection of various disciplines. His approach emphasizes design as a tool for connection. This vision will be further showcased in his role as curator for the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which will explore natural, artificial, and collective intelligence.

The Design Concept: Essential

The Milano-Cortina torch, titled “Essential,” aims to strip away the unnecessary, spotlighting the flame as the central element. This minimalist approach reflects a blend of aesthetics and sustainability.

Features of the Torch

• The structure is designed around a central burner, visible through a vertical slit.
• The flame is fueled by bio LPG from renewable materials, producing an intense yellow color, reminiscent of the original Olympic fire lit in 776 B.C.
• Emphasizing sustainability, both the Olympic and Paralympic torches are crafted from predominantly recycled aluminum and brass.

Weighing just over one kilogram without the fuel canister, these torches can be recharged up to ten times, limiting production to approximately 1,500 units.

An Innovative Approach

The torch features a unique PVD coating that reflects its surroundings, changing color based on the environment—from the white of snow to the blue of night. It is also a symbolic bridge between cultures, echoing the understated designs of historical Japanese torches from the Tokyo 1964 and Sapporo 1972 Olympics.

Journey of the Torch

Starting from Olympia on November 26, the torch will continue its journey culminating in the commencement of the Winter Games on February 6, 2026. This extensive relay not only celebrates the Olympic spirit but also highlights how thoughtful design can shape our future.

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