Torch Relay in the tina.
Matteo from Italy completes a torch relay for the Olympic Games using the tina. positioning shell system.
The Olympic Torch Relay for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will take place from 6 December 2025 to 6 February 2026 and will conclude in Milan, where the flame will enter the San Siro Olympic Stadium to open the Games. The 12,000-kilometre journey across Italy passes through 60 cities, honours Italy’s cultural heritage, and is accompanied by 10,001 torchbearers. The official start takes place in Rome after the flame is lit in Olympia.
Torch relay from Rimini to Bologna
From 5–6 January 2026, the torch relay stage from Rimini to Bologna took place. The distance between the two Italian cities is 121 km. Part of the route was carried by people with disabilities—among them Matteo. This is a very special honour, as there are many applications for the torch relay and only 10,001 runners are selected in total. Torchbearers are expected to stand for the values of sport and of the Olympic and Paralympic movement, including excellence, respect and friendship, as well as inspiration, courage, determination and equality.
From Germany to Italy
It was by no means a given that Matteo would be able to carry the torch. Matteo is receiving palliative care due to his illness, and it was—and unfortunately still is—unclear how long he has to live. For this reason, he received our tina. modular cradle system last September. One of his relatives strongly advocated for this, as attempts to purchase the positioning shell system through regular channels failed for various reasons. As a result, the Italian Embassy in the Netherlands contacted us, as Matteo’s relative serves there as an ambassador. Together with us as the manufacturer, he sought a fast and practical solution. Of course, we provided support without complication: within just one week, we assembled the positioning shell system for Matteo and made it ready for use.
A special story
The ambassador personally collected the tina. at our site in Bissendorf and brought it to Italy. This ensured that Matteo was promptly provided with the assistive device he needed. This, in turn, made it possible for the torch to be mounted on Matteo’s modular cradle system during the torch relay from Rimini to Bologna, resulting in this emotional video.
This story shows how important short decision-making paths, flexibility and cooperative partnership are—especially when every week counts.
