It was a special end to the year for our very own Alessandra Fanali as the Italian star was honoured with carrying the Olympic Torch ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
Having competed herself at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, Fanali, now entering her fourth season on the Ladies European Tour (LET), was chosen as a torch bearer as the famous flame passed through her native Campania and Lazio on Friday 26th December.
The 26-year-old carried the torch for the final metres of the evening in the town of Latina as the flame concluded its 19th stage. Other bearers on the day included fellow Olympians Alessia Mesiano, a boxer, and Romano Battisti, a Silver Medalist in rowing.
“It actually came about through a journalist from a sports media outlet who is taking part in the Olympic torch relay around Italy,” Fanali explained. “He asked another journalist from an Italian golf newspaper if I was available to do it. The moment he texted me, I was so excited!
“I always thought it’s a once in a lifetime experience – even though I hope it will happen again, honestly – and it really was amazing. Even just for the atmosphere: it’s a group of like 150 guys that are doing the whole relay around Italy, so the vibe is great! The music, the people stopping you for photos and walking alongside you! Even for my parents I think it was cool to watch!
“And then that moment when you’re holding the torch waiting for the torch kiss and getting ready to start. You only carry it for about 200 meters, so it’s a short walk, but the whole experience is incredibly special!”
The Olympic Torch is now well into its 63-day journey ahead of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games which start on February 6. The flame will cover 12,000 kilometres in total visiting 60 Italian cities.
“A dream to carry the Olympic torch for the first time! Go Italy!” Fanali wrote on Instagram, who will next tee up on the LET at the season-opening PIF Saudi Ladies International on February 11.
More information about the torch relay and 2026 Winter Olympic Games can be found here.
