On a cool Monday in Italy, the Olympic flame met one of the world’s oldest stages. Jackie Chan, the martial arts legend and Chinese action star, carried the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics torch through the ancient ruins of Pompeii on December 22, 2025. It was a short run, but a big moment: a modern symbol of unity and hope set against stone streets and broken walls that have stood since Roman times.

The torch’s path that day also glided along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe’s most famous shorelines. Spectators lined the route, phones up, eyes wide. It was sport, history, and showmanship in one frame.

A star, a flame, and an ancient city

Pompeii is no ordinary backdrop. The city was buried by ash and lava after Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. Today, it stands as a careful reminder of the past, frozen in time. Seeing the bright torch cut through those quiet ruins turned a routine relay leg into a moment that felt bigger than a race or a schedule. It felt like a message: the Olympic spirit belongs to everyone, in every age.

Chan’s presence amplified that message. He is known across continents, and he has carried the torch before, in 2022. There was no official reason given for why he was chosen this time beyond his fame, but that fame matters. It brings more eyes to the relay and to the host country’s story.

“A torch in Pompeii feels bigger than sport—it’s history running.”

Why Pompeii matters to the Olympic story

The Olympic flame is meant to travel. It connects people and places before the Games begin. This relay started from Greece, as tradition holds, and detoured through Pompeii on its way to Milan. That choice speaks to the heart of Milan Cortina 2026: sport and culture together, side by side.

In Pompeii, the flame stood for resilience. The city is a mark of what was lost and what can be learned. The torch is a mark of what can be shared. Put them together, and the picture tells a simple, powerful story—hope can glow even in the oldest shadows.

“If star power brings more eyes to Milan Cortina, hand the torch to Jackie—mission accomplished.”

Italy’s 12,000 km relay to San Siro

This is not a quick sprint around a stadium. The Milan Cortina 2026 torch relay is a massive journey—12,000 kilometers across all 110 Italian provinces. From seaside towns to mountain passes, it’s a moving postcard of the country. The finish line is set for February 6 at Milan’s famous San Siro Stadium, where the opening ceremony will light up the night.

Monday’s mix—Pompeii’s ruins and the Amalfi Coast—shows what this relay is built to do: connect Italy’s many faces. Each stop offers a new scene and a new way to invite fans to the Games.

Jackie Chan’s second torch moment

For Chan, this was a return to a role he knows. He also carried an Olympic torch in 2022. This repeat appearance underlines something simple: the relay uses global names to lift local places. With Chan, the message travels fast. Clips from Pompeii were shared far and wide within hours, helping the relay reach audiences who might not follow winter sports day to day.

Still, it’s worth noting what we know and what we don’t. We know he ran the flame through Pompeii on Monday and that the event drew crowds. We know his celebrity likely drove the pick. We do not have an official reason beyond that. And that’s okay. The moment itself did the work: it got attention, and it felt right.

“Next stop Naples—imagine Cannavaro and Ferrara with that skyline and that crowd.”

What’s next: Naples gets its turn

The relay’s next chapter belongs to Naples. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Italian soccer greats Fabio Cannavaro and Ciro Ferrara will carry the torch through the city. Naples knows how to celebrate sport, and the pairing of two beloved players with a passionate city should make for must-watch moments.

From there, the flame keeps moving north toward Milan, picking up local heroes, famous faces, and everyday runners along the way. Each step adds a fresh voice to the story the relay is telling about Italy, its people, and the Games to come.

The bigger picture: sport, culture, and a smart stage

Monday’s images from Pompeii were more than pretty frames. They showed a simple plan done well: take the Olympic flame, set it in a place the world recognizes, and let the pictures do the talking. It’s a smart way to build interest in Milan Cortina 2026 and to remind everyone that the Olympics are about more than medals. They’re about connection.

By the time the flame reaches San Siro in February, it will have crossed cities and villages, coastlines and mountains, gathering stories as it goes. Jackie Chan’s run through Pompeii will be one of the stops fans remember. It captured what this relay aims to be: a link between past and present, a celebration of where we’ve been and where we are going.

As the torch turns toward Naples and beyond, the message is clear and bright. The Games are coming. Italy is ready. And the flame is doing what it always does—bringing the world a little closer, one step at a time.