In a world often saturated with superfluous design, the unveiling of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic torches at Expo 2025 Osaka offered a refreshing counterpoint. Designed by the visionary Carlo Ratti of CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, the torch is not merely an object; it’s a deliberate act of subtraction, a design that consciously steps back to allow the true protagonist – the flame – to take center stage.
Commissioned by Eni, with crucial collaboration from Versalis and Cavagna Group, the torch embodies a philosophy of “less is more,” where minimalism isn’t an aesthetic choice but a fundamental method. Ratti, also Director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, articulated the core principle: “We wanted to strip away the superfluous. The brief was clear: the flame had to be the protagonist.” This radical approach led to a compelling question: what if the torch almost disappeared, enabling the flame to truly emerge?
The result is a design shaped around its very essence: a high-performance burner. For the first time in Olympic history, the internal mechanism that ignites the flame is made visible. A slender vertical slit graces the torch’s body, offering a direct view into the heart of the flame’s genesis. This isn’t just about observation; it’s an invitation to look through the object, fostering a deeper connection with the elemental power it holds.
Developed in partnership with Cavagna Group, the burner is fueled by bio-GPL, a sustainable alternative derived entirely from renewable sources like used cooking oils and agro-industrial residues, processed at Eni’s Enilive biorefinery in Sicily. This commitment to sustainability is further underscored by the flame’s natural, warm yellow hue, a stark contrast to the cooler blue tones associated with traditional fossil fuels. This conscious choice not only echoes the original flame in Olympia but also speaks volumes about the Games’ commitment to a greener future.
The materials employed in the torch’s construction are equally considered. The main body boasts a PVD coating, a high-performance, heat-resistant, and sustainably applied film that allows the torch to subtly shift its appearance in response to its environment. Imagine it mirroring the crisp white of snow-laden landscapes by day and absorbing the deep blues of twilight as it journeys across diverse terrains, from the ancient grounds of Greece and the welcoming shores of England to the majestic Italian Alps. Crafted primarily from recycled aluminum and brass, the torch weighs a mere 1,060 grams (excluding the canister), a testament to efficient design. Furthermore, each torch is designed for reuse, capable of being refilled up to ten times, significantly reducing the overall production to just 1,500 units.
Ratti eloquently describes the challenge as “designing not just an object, but a phenomenon.” He emphasizes the dynamic nature of fire, its constant interplay with motion, wind, altitude, and temperature. The design process, therefore, became an exercise in working backward from this inherent instability, creating a form that could reliably cradle something so inherently unpredictable.
The simultaneous unveiling in Osaka and at the Triennale in Milan naturally draws parallels with Italy and Japan’s rich design heritage. Ratti himself acknowledges the influence of Sori Yanagi’s 1964 Tokyo torch and the Sapporo 1972 torch, both celebrated for their clarity and restraint. This same spirit of subtraction and simplification guided the design of the Milano Cortina 2026 torch, allowing the flame to truly speak for itself.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch embarks on its journey, it carries not just a flame, but a powerful message about sustainability, transparency, and the enduring symbolism of the Olympic spirit. Unlike its predecessors, this torch invites us to look beyond its form, to gaze into the heart of the flame, and to reflect on the values it represents. In a world clamoring for attention, this design understands that true power lies in letting something else shine.