Fire and water aren’t supposed to get along - or do they? At the Cascata delle Marmore, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, the Olympic Flame of Milano Cortina 2026 proved that rules are made to be broken.
As part of its journey through the green heart of Italy, the flame left the historic streets of Orvieto and headed south toward Terni, carving a path through Umbria’s most iconic landscapes. Then came the unexpected: instead of asphalt or stone, the torch took on white water!
Carried safely aboard a rubber raft, the Olympic Flame descended the rafting routes below the Cascata delle Marmore - a place where water explodes with energy, noise and raw force. For a brief, unforgettable moment the symbol of Olympic fire floated above churning rapids, guided by expert paddlers through the spray.
The choice wasn’t random. Marmore is more than a waterfall — it’s a cathedral of moving water, a global reference point for rafting and river sports. First engineered by the Romans in 271 BC to control and redirect the Velino River, it stands as one of the oldest hydraulic works still in use, a place where ancient human ingenuity meets raw natural power. Bringing the flame here meant celebrating not just the Olympics, but the deep connection between sport, nature and risk.
The image echoes recent Olympic history. During the Paris 2024 Games, the flame travelled along France’s newest canal at Vaires-sur-Marne created for Olympic water sports. But Umbria pushed the idea further: no controlled course, no ceremonial deck - just rapids, spray and adrenaline.
Check-out the video by clicking the link above!
@worldrafting
