Olympic Torch Relay: Emotional handover from women in sport trailblazer Anita DeFrantz to IOC President Kirsty Coventry
The Olympic Torch Relay has reached Milan, signalling the final stretch before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony. The last leg of the relay today brought together the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, Olympians and IOC Members, before the flame continued its journey toward San Siro.
Running with the Olympic flame along on the Via della Repubblica surrounded by cheering crowds, IOC President and Double Olympic Champion in swimming Kirsty Coventry reflected on the emotional moment saying it was “really special to see the flame”. She added, “It’s definitely going to be a memory I’m going to take with me. We’re all waiting for the Opening Ceremony and letting athletes show us the incredible things they’re capable of doing (...) we’re all so excited.”
President Coventry highlighted the wider meaning of the torch relay, describing it as “a good reminder of the values and how sport can unify all kinds of ages and people and backgrounds.”
Passing the torch: From one pioneer to another
President Coventry received the torch from IOC Member and Olympian Anita DeFrantz. An Olympic bronze medallist in rowing and former IOC Vice-President, DeFrantz has worked tirelessly to advance gender equality within the Olympic Movement. Reflecting on the emotional handover, Coventry said, “To take the flame from Anita was super special; she was so happy and I was so happy. And it was super memorable because she's really led the way for female leaders in sport globally, and for her to be here and for her and me to share that moment was really very cool.”
Reflecting on Coventry’s words, DeFrantz shared the symbolic importance of the moment, saying, “Now, having a woman President of the IOC is exactly how the world should be. I’m so grateful to her and her work.”
Also taking part in the relay were IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach and IOC Executive Board member and Olympian Ivo Ferriani, the President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and of the Winter Olympic Federations.
About the Olympic Torch Relay
The Olympic flame was lit on 26 November 2025 during the traditional ceremony in Olympia, Greece, before arriving in Rome on 4 December. Two days later, the Torch Relay officially began its route across Italy, travelling through more than 300 towns and cities. The torch arrived in Milan on 5 February 2026, passing through Sesto San Giovanni, the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, and the Milano Ice Park in Rho. On the day of the Opening Ceremony, the relay moved through landmarks including the Navigli, Piazza Gae Aulenti and the Cimitero Monumentale, as Milan welcomed the Olympic flame and the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.