Salento took center stage on Tuesday, 30 December, as the 23rd stage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay crossed southern Italy through coastal towns, historic villages, and city squares marked by strong public participation.
The relay began in Nardò, where residents lined the streets to welcome the Olympic Flame through the historic center. The route continued to Gallipoli, where the torch moved along the seafront promenade, creating a visual link between the relay and the Ionian coastline.
In the early afternoon, the Flame reached Presicce Acquarica. The passage through the town center became one of the most symbolic moments of the day when torchbearer Enrica Ciardo carried the Flame. Her participation reflected themes of civic responsibility and commitment to legality through personal experience.
The journey then moved through Maglie, where streets and squares filled with spectators, before reaching Otranto. There, the Flame crossed the Adriatic facing city, passing through narrow streets and coastal viewpoints that combined scenic presence with cultural meaning.
The final stretch led to Lecce, the designated stage city. The relay crossed the city center before the evening arrival, with the final torchbearers including Ferdinando De Giorgi, head coach of the Italian men’s volleyball team, and Andrea Varnier, Chief Executive Officer of Milano Cortina 2026. Their presence marked the conclusion of the stage amid illuminated streets, large crowds, and a shared celebration of Olympic values framed by Lecce’s baroque architecture.
Stage 23 covered more than 23 kilometers and involved 120 torchbearers. The route showcased a wide range of settings, from historic centers to coastal promenades and monumental squares, reinforcing the Torch Relay as a collective journey through Italy’s territories, communities, and stories ahead of Milano Cortina 2026.
On Wednesday, 31 December, the Olympic Torch Relay continues in Puglia with the 24th stage traveling from Brindisi to Bari.
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The 23rd stage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay crossed Salento on 30 December, moving through Nardò, Gallipoli, Presicce Acquarica, Maglie, Otranto, and concluding in Lecce. The stage featured 120 torchbearers and highlighted civic stories, coastal landscapes, and strong community participation.
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