Bindra chosen as torchbearer for Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra will once again take centre stage on the global sports stage, this time as a torch-bearer for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. The Games will be held from February 6 to 22, 2026.

Bindra, who won India’s first individual Olympic gold in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, expressed his excitement on social media. “Truly humbled to be chosen as a torchbearer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay. The Olympic flame has always held a special place in my heart, a symbol of dreams, perseverance, and the unity that sport brings to our world,” he wrote.

“To carry it once again is both an honour and a beautiful reminder of what sport makes possible. Thank you, @milanocortina2026 for this incredible honour,” he added.

This will mark the fourth time Italy hosts the Winter Games. The 2026 edition will feature 116 medal events across 16 disciplines, seven more events and one additional discipline compared to Beijing 2022, highlighting the expanding scope of winter sports globally.

Bindra’s selection reflects his continued role as a sporting icon in India and underscores the Olympic movement’s celebration of athletes who inspire beyond competition.