Despite persistent rainfall, the Olympic torch continued it’s 12,000km journey across Italy on Wednesday, arriving in Monza with a slight delay and concluding its leg in Piazza Trento e Trieste. The torch relay, a tradition dating back to the ancient games, is building anticipation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics [[1]], but the event was met with a mix of festivity and protest as it passed through the brianza region.
The Olympic flame arrived in Monza on Wednesday, February 4th, though slightly behind schedule. The torch reached Villa Reale around 7:30 PM local time, where a special handover took place with Nico Acampora, a torchbearer for the day, alongside five young athletes from PizzAut. The procession continued under persistent rainfall that accompanied the flame’s journey through the Brianza region throughout the day.
From Villa Reale to Piazza Trento: The Torch’s Journey
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A large crowd gathered as early as 5:00 PM, eager to witness the torch’s arrival and cheer on the athletes and representatives from PizzAut. The flame was then passed to Filippo Tortu, the Olympic gold medalist sprinter from the Tokyo Games, who ran with visible emotion. The torch continued its path to Arengario, where supporters enthusiastically chanted “Monza, make some noise!” Finally, the flame arrived at Piazza Trento e Trieste, where Italian gymnast Igor Cassina ignited the Olympic cauldron to a stadium-like roar and a festive atmosphere. This leg of the journey began yesterday in Brianza, and continued today through Seveso, Desio, Nova Milanese, Muggiò, and Lissone, before culminating in front of the Monument to the Fallen.
A Rainy Celebration in the City Center
Despite the downpour, Monzesi turned out in force, with curious onlookers arriving at Piazza Trento e Trieste, where the Olympic Village was set up, around 5:00 PM. The crowd swelled as the anticipated arrival of the Olympic flame drew nearer. Families, young people, and sports associations, armed with umbrellas, embraced the spirit of the celebration. Many took the opportunity to pose with the Olympic flame at the Coca-Cola stand, experiencing the dream of being a torchbearer, even if only for a moment. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch with the arrival of Igor Cassina, whose lighting of the Olympic cauldron was met with a thunderous ovation.
Route Disruptions and Protests
The torch began its route from Via Boito, arriving at Villa Reale di Monza, and then proceeded through the city center, concluding its journey in Piazza Trento. A significant logistical operation was in place, with road closures from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, causing some disruption for motorists. Some attendees also expressed frustration with the organization in Arengario and Piazza Duomo, citing a lack of barriers and sufficient volunteer support that nearly impacted the procession on Via Vittorio Emanuele. There were also reports of disruptions to the shuttle service from Porta Monza to the city center, impacting users of the Zucchi clinic.
Adding to the day’s events, Inter Milan played a Coppa Italia match against Torino at the U-Power Stadium at 9:00 PM, resulting in further traffic revisions in the stadium area starting at 5:00 PM.
A Quiet City Center
The city center appeared surprisingly subdued. Those hoping for a vibrant display of Olympic flags and themed decorations were disappointed. Aside from the Olympic Village in Piazza Trento e Trieste, Monza’s welcome for the flame was relatively understated. Only two businesses, Andros and Rinascente, decorated with Olympic branding. Most shops, bars, and restaurants offered a “cool” reception to the event. This contrasted sharply with Seveso, where local authorities encouraged businesses to create themed products and services, including special coffee, eyeglasses, bread, and desserts.
Shortly after 6:00 PM, a protest took place in Largo Mazzini organized by the Foa Boccaccio social center. Demonstrators voiced opposition to the Olympics, citing concerns about speculation and environmental damage. Despite the rain, over fifty people (some reports suggest nearly one hundred) gathered near Piazza Trento, where the Olympic celebration was underway. “The mountain areas affected by the Olympics have suffered a massive attack,” protesters stated. “Large areas of forest have been cut down, green spaces have been concreted over, and invasive interventions have been made to support activities that are no longer compatible with climate change – there is no more snow.”
“In Milan,” they continued, “the transformation of large areas is aimed at guaranteeing maximum returns for private individuals: from the Olympic Village in Scalo Romana, to the ice stadium in Santa Giulia, to San Siro, public bodies guarantee returns to private companies like Coima, also assuming coverage of extra costs.” Protests also occurred yesterday during the torch’s passage through Arcore, with environmental activists demonstrating against the event’s impact, particularly in mountain territories.
Article updated February 4th at 8:57 PM
