The Olympic Torch Relay, at Stage 42, touched down for the first time in a city that will host the Winter Games: Verona, home of the Olympic Closing Ceremony and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony. ​​The relay ended with an exceptional torchbearer, Sara Simeoni, accompanied on stage at the city celebration in Piazza Bra by Flavio Valbusa. ​​A great evening ended in the shadow of the Arena, which had previously seen the participation of other Olympians such as Paola Pezzo, Roberto Di Donna and Elia Viviani. ​​There were many evocative moments in a city with a unique charm, from the start at Porta Nuova to the passage through Castel San Pietro; the torch kiss, staged at Juliet’s House, starring Elena Cecchini and Elia Viviani, was unforgettable. ​​The stretch of the race shared between the Palestinian torchbearer Aziz Abu Sarah and the Israeli Maoz Inon , to the cry of “Peace, Salam, Shalom”, will also remain in the collective memory.
The Olympic Flame crosses Lombardia, Trentino and Veneto
The arrival in the Venetian city was preceded by a suggestive route that wound around Lake Garda. ​​The convoy touched Lombardia (Desenzano del Garda), Trentino (Riva del Garda and Rovereto) for the first time, and then Veneto (Peschiera del Garda). ​​The lakeside scenery was once again the focus of attention, after the passages of the previous Saturday on Lake Iseo, and the torchbearers also travelled by boat, starting from Torbole. ​​The passages to the International Museum of the Red Cross and the Bell of the Fallen, a historical icon that recalls the tragic events of the Great War, were also very special moments. ​​The torchbearers also received a great welcome in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella.
The 43rd stage will end in Mantua
On Stage 43, Monday 19 January, the torch relay will start from Villafranca di Verona and then reach Valeggio sul Mincio, Custoza and Isola della Scala. ​​The convoy will then return to Lombardia, passing through Asola and Viadana, before making its last foray into Emilia-Romagna, in Brescello, and continuing to Suzzara, before the last leg of the relay in Mantua. ​​To find out more about the 43rd stage, click here.