After being lit on November 26 in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic flame is now officially on its way to Olympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina.

But who are the people carrying the torches? Why do we make such a big deal out of torchbearers anyway? Also, how did the dudes from Heated Rivalry end up carrying the flame? Well, that’s a little complicated.

Traditionally, the organizers for an Olympic host city choose each Games’ torchbearers. Sometimes they are selected for their athletic achievements, sometimes for their celebrity. (Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams from the gay hockey show likely fall into the latter category.) You can also just apply to be a torchbearer, and citizens who have distinguished themselves through commitment, solidarity, or significant work are often selected.

Prior to each Games, the flame is lit in the historic city of Olympia, Greece, and taken along a route that passes through different cities, communities, and territories on its way to the host country. Each torchbearer walks a short distance along that route, contributing to a long chain that unites an entire country until they reach the stadium where the opening ceremony will be held, officially kicking off the Olympics. Want to know more? Read on.

How Are the Torchbearers Chosen?

Torchbearers are chosen based on symbolic criteria, Olympic values, and community involvement. Organizers may introduce their own preferences or themes for the Games they host, but in general the selection follows some foundational and common principles of the Olympic spirit.

First, the organizing committee identifies a short list of people who best represent the spirit of the Olympics. Alongside the athletes who have made sports history, citizens who have made a positive contribution to society are often chosen: people involved in volunteer work or social initiatives, young people who have distinguished themselves through cultural or environmental projects, and figures who embody values such as solidarity, inclusion, and civic engagement.

Institutional partners, schools, associations, local authorities, and sponsors take part in the selection process, weighing in on candidates from their areas of expertise. Each torchbearer is chosen not so much for his or her popularity as for the message he or she can carry during their stretch of the journey. The result is a relay race composed of people of different ages, backgrounds, and social roles, united by the responsibility to guard and represent the Olympics.

The Significance of the Olympic Flame

The flame is lit in Olympia using sunlight refracted from a parabolic mirror, a gesture that deliberately recalls the ritual of antiquity. From that moment, the flame begins a journey passing from torch to torch, becoming a symbol that unites different cultures and places.

What Happens If the Torch Goes Out?

Simply put: nothing. During the journey it may happen that the torch goes out due to wind, rain, or minor technical hitches. In such cases, the tradition is not considered to be interrupted, because special lanterns are carried along the entire route that hold an authentic flame, lit at the same time as the main one in Olympia. When needed, the torch is relighted by these backup lanterns so as to ensure continuity and keep the connection to the original flame intact.

Toward the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

For the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, more than 10,000 torchbearers were chosen to carry the Olympic flame and more than 500 for the Paralympic flame. The flame was lit in Olympia on November 26, and departed from Rome in early December, officially beginning its journey across the boot of Italy, passing through cities before arriving in the mountains where the competitions will be held.

This story originally appeared in WIRED Italia. It has been translated from Italian.