Organizers unveil sleek metallic torches for Milan-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics

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The torches for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are unveiled during the official unveiling ceremony at Italian Pavilion of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

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Former Italy’s Cross Country skier Stefania Belmondo, left, and Paralympic champion Beatrice ‘Bebe’ Vio hold the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics torches during the unveiling ceremony in Milan, Italy, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

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Italian figure skaters, Carolina Kostner, center left, and Italian paralympic athlete Martina Caironi, center right, hold the torches for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 during the official unveiling ceremony at Italian Pavilion of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

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Italian figure skaters, Carolina Kostner, left, and Martina Caironi, right, hold the Torches for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 during the official unveiling ceremony at Italian Pavilion of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

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Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, left, passes the torch for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 to Italian paralympic athlete Martina Caironi during the official unveiling ceremony at Italian Pavilion of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

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Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics torches are displayed during the unveiling ceremony in Milan, Italy, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

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Paralympic champion Beatrice ‘Bebe’ Vio holds the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics torch during the unveiling ceremony in Milan, Italy, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

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A view of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics torches unveiling ceremony in Milan, Italy, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Updated 2:21 PM UTC, April 14, 2025

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MILAN (AP) — Organizers for the Milan-Cortina Olympics on Monday unveiled a sleek and minimalistic metallic design for the torches that will be used in the traditional relay ahead of next year’s Winter Games.

The torches will be made primarily out of recycled materials, with a design system that lets the fuel canister be refilled up to 10 times — reducing the number of torches that will be needed, organizers said. Made from an aluminum and brass alloy, the Olympic torch features a blue-green hue while the Paralympic version is bronze colored.

“The design of the torch is intended to enhance the flame itself, the true essence of the torch relay,” organizers said. “The idea is to direct focus towards the flame, leaving the torch almost in the background. By concentrating on the simplicity of the design, the flame becomes the main protagonist.”

The Olympic flame will arrive in Rome on Dec. 4 and will begin its journey across Italy two days later.

The 2026 Games run Feb. 6-22 and the Paralympics run March 6-15.

The torches, which were designed by Italian architect Carlo Ratti, were displayed at joint presentations at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, and in Milan.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympics

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