Volleyball champions carry Olympic flame at Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony

Six Italian volleyballers – three women and three men – proudly took a major part in Friday evening’s opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan. Reigning Paris 2024 Olympic champions and 2025 world champions with the women’s national team of the Winter Olympic host nation Anna Danesi, Carlotta Cambi and Paola Egonu, as well as the world champions with the men’s national team Simone Giannelli, Simone Anzani and Luca Porro, had the honor of carrying the Olympic flame in the traditional torch relay.

“I can say that everything was fantastic and beautiful, something that went beyond my wildest expectations in life,” said middle blocker Anna Danesi, captain of the women’s national team, a Dream Teamer of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and of the 2022 and 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championships. “It was beautiful from the beginning, when we arrived at the San Siro stadium and waited in a designated area inside the locker rooms. Paola, Carlotta, and I had rehearsed the day before, and, luckily, we did, because at that moment I didn't even hear (Andrea) Bocelli sing. So much was the emotion and desire to do everything well.

“I can say that now, when I wake up, looking at all the stories on Instagram and the pictures from last night, I'm enjoying it to the fullest. The wave of messages and affection I'm receiving these past few hours feels like I'm reliving the best moments of my victories. Being present at the opening ceremony of an Olympic Games is certainly a victory for me, because the Olympic spirit has been inside me since I was little and I could only watch it on TV.

“The moment when (Giuseppe) Bergomi and (Franco) Baresi passed me the torch and I turned towards the grandstand, where I saw President Sergio Mattarella, was beautiful. Plus, I'm a fan of our President. Then I passed the torch to Simone (Giannelli) and we looked at each other and smiled. In that moment, we both understood how important and profound that magnificent moment was.”

“It was an incredible feeling! I never thought I'd experience a moment like this. It was truly incredible!” commented Simone Giannalli, captain of the men’s national team, a two-time world champion and a Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist, with multiple individual awards at the highest world and continental levels, including MVP of the 2022 World Championship.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity I was given, and I thank those who chose me and all of us, volleyball players. Carrying the flame was truly a unique and unforgettable experience. A huge thank you also goes to my club, (Sir Safety) Perugia, and to President Gino Sirci, who gave me the opportunity to be there. We're playing (the Coppa Italia Final Four) today and it wasn't a given that I'd be allowed to go. Honor, gratitude, responsibility, and immense happiness for what I was able to do for my Italy!”

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