Hu Shuli to Carry Olympic Torch for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics – The flame begins at the heel

The official torch relay for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics started on December 6, 2025, within Italy. Publisher of Caixin Media, Ms. Hu Shuli, will serve as a torchbearer, passing the Olympic flame in Taranto, a historic city in southern Italy, on December 29.

Situated at the toe of Italy's "boot-shaped" peninsula, Taranto is a key stop on the Olympic flame’s journey through southern Italy. A city where ancient Greek and Roman cultures converge, Taranto boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites, well-preserved Roman ruins, and a medieval castle — testaments to its nearly thousand-year history. As the Olympic flame makes its way through the city on the eve of the New Year, it will usher in a festive new beginning for this timeless city.