AJ Ginnis has been chosen as the first torchbearer for the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, marking a deeply symbolic moment for both Greece and the global Olympic community. The Hellenic Olympic Committee announced that Ginnis will receive the flame at Ancient Olympia on November 26, 2025, in keeping with tradition that the Olympic torch is first carried by a Greek athlete. The selection of Ginnis, a skier who represents both Greek heritage and international athletic excellence, bridges the Games’ ancient roots with its modern evolution.
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The flame will travel across Greece for nine days before a handover in Athens on December 4, and then move to Italy, where the Italian torch relay begins in Rome on December 6. The flame’s journey will culminate at the Opening Ceremony in Milan on February 6, 2026, when the Olympic cauldron is lit inside the iconic San Siro Stadium.
Winter Olympic 2026: From Athens to the World Stage
Born in Athens on November 17, 1994, Alexandros Ioannis AJ Ginnis was introduced to skiing on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. His father, a ski instructor, played a pivotal role in nurturing his talent early on. At age 12, Ginnis moved to Austria to further his training before relocating with his family to the United States. His competitive breakthrough came after joining the U.S. Ski Team and making his World Cup debut in 2014. However, a series of injuries and a desire to represent his birth country led him to switch allegiance to Greece in 2020.
The move was transformative. Not only did Ginnis become Greece’s most accomplished alpine skier, but he also made history by finishing 11th in a World Cup slalom race in Flachau, Austria—becoming the first Greek skier to score World Cup points. That milestone was a hint of things to come, and in 2023 he stunned the Winter Olympic alpine skiing world. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Marcel Hirscher Confirms Comeback to Olympic Alpine Skiing Legend Ready to Race Again
Ginnis Elevates Greek Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing with Historic Comeback
In February 2023, Ginnis claimed a silver medal in slalom at the FIS World Championships in Courchevel and Méribel. It was a groundbreaking result: Greece’s first-ever medal at a major winter sports championship. The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on the skiing community or on Greece, a country not traditionally known for winter sports success. Ginnis’s podium finish didn’t just earn a medal—it put Greek Winter Olympic alpine skiing on the map.
The path to that success was anything but smooth. Ginnis has endured multiple knee injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in the summer of 2021 that forced him to miss the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic. After undergoing additional knee surgery in 2024, his return to competition was uncertain. Yet, he fought back and is now aiming to peak once more for Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
Carrying the Flame, Carrying the Dream
Being named the first torchbearer of the Winter Olympic 2026 is a powerful tribute to Ginnis’s resilience and achievements. Thomas Tokas, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee’s Torch Relay Council, emphasized that the decision was unanimous and richly deserved. Ginnis’s life story and athletic journey resonate deeply with the spirit of the Games: overcoming adversity, honoring tradition, and inspiring the next generation.
For Ginnis, the honor is deeply personal. Carrying the flame from Olympia is something I never imagine, he said. To be part of this historic tradition and represent Greece on such a stage—this is beyond my wildest dreams. As the first torchbearer, he will ignite the flame in Ancient Olympia—where the Olympic spirit was born—and carry it toward the next chapter in the Games’ legacy. His presence symbolizes not only national pride but also the merging of ancient history with modern sport.
Torch Relay Timeline: From Greece to Italy
The Olympic torch relay will begin in Greece, where the flame will be lit using the sun’s rays in a traditional ceremony at Olympia. From there, the torch will embark on a nine-day journey through Greek cities and landmarks. On December 4, it will be officially hand over to the Italian delegation in Athens.
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Two days later, on December 6, the torch will arrive in Rome, where the Italian leg of the relay begins. The flame will then make its way through dozens of Italian cities, mountain villages, and ski venues before reaching Milan. The relay will conclude at the San Siro Stadium during the Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026, when the flame is use to light the Olympic cauldron and officially open the Games.
Ginnis Sparks New Era for Greek Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing
Now 31 years old, AJ Ginnis is still targeting a strong showing at Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. With a silver medal in slalom at the 2023 World Championships and renew focus after injury, he’s expect to be Greece’s top alpine contender. He specializes in technical events—especially slalom and giant slalom—where his experience and precision give him an edge.
Greece, while not a traditional alpine powerhouse, is slowly growing its Winter Olympic sports profile, thanks in part to Ginnis. His achievements have sparked new interest and investment in Greek skiing. Young athletes now have a role model—proof that success is possible, even from a Mediterranean nation with limited winter terrain.
A Global Journey Meets Olympic Tradition
Ginnis’s story highlights the increasingly global nature of winter sports. Athletes now train and compete across borders, representing diverse backgrounds and bringing new stories into Olympic lore. His dual identity as a Greek-born athlete who trained in Austria and the U.S. reflects the interconnected world of elite sport today.
By carrying the torch at Olympia, Ginnis honors the ancient origins of the Games while writing his own modern chapter. His role as the first torchbearer is more than symbolic—it is a tribute to endurance, reinvention, and national pride.
Ginnis to Light Torch, Marking Start of Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
When AJ Ginnis steps forward in Olympia this November, torch in hand, he will carry more than just flame. He’ll carry decades of ambition. He’ll carry the spirit of a nation and the weight of a journey that spans continents. His path has been mark by setbacks, triumphs, and an unshakable will to represent Greece on the world stage. For Greece, his appearance will be a moment of pride. For the world, it will signal the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. And it will be led by one of the most inspiring athletes of this generation.
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