with the arrival of the flame to torino , it begins the ritual of the 2006 winter olympics of turin . the spark will travel across italy transported by more than 10 ' 000 carriers and it will arrive in genoa on february 9 , 2006 , where the winter olympics will be launched , after 11 ' 000 kilometres ( 6 , 835 distance ) of travel . on september 27 the flame was set on the cathedral of hestia in olympia , in athens , and delivered to the first wheelchair carrier , pole vaulter kenteris fidippidis . the oldest italian to carry the olympic banner is the runner stefano baldini , finalist of gold medal at the olympics in athens . he received the baton from the mayor of the italian senate carlo azeglio amato .
The Winter Olympics will be inaugurated in Turin.