Verona Welcomes Olympic Flame: A Spectacular Stage 42 Celebration

The Olympic Torch Relay, at Stage 42, touched down for the first time in a city that will host the Winter Games: Verona, home of the Olympic Closing Ceremony and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony. ​​The relay ended with an exceptional torchbearer, Sara Simeoni, accompanied on stage at the city celebration in Piazza Bra by Flavio Valbusa. ​​A great evening ended in the shadow of the Arena, which had previously seen the participation of other Olympians such as Paola Pezzo, Roberto Di Donna and Elia Viviani. ​​There were many evocative moments in a city with a unique charm, from the start at Porta Nuova to the passage through Castel San Pietro; the torch kiss, staged at Juliet's House, starring Elena Cecchini and Elia Viviani, was unforgettable. ​​The stretch of the race shared between the Palestinian torchbearer Aziz Abu Sarah and the Israeli Maoz Inon , to the cry of "Peace, Salam, Shalom", will also remain in the collective memory. The Olympic Flame crosses Lombardia, Trentino and Veneto The arrival in the Venetian city was preceded by a suggestive route that wound around Lake Garda. ​​The convoy touched Lombardia (Desenzano del Garda), Trentino (Riva del Garda and Rovereto) for the first time, and then Veneto (Peschiera del Garda). ​​The lakeside scenery was once again the focus of attention, after the passages of the previous Saturday on Lake Iseo, and the torchbearers also travelled by boat, starting from Torbole. ​​The passages to the International Museum of the Red Cross and the Bell of the Fallen, a historical icon that recalls the tragic events of the Great War, were also very special moments. ​​The torchbearers also received a great welcome in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella. The 43rd stage will end in Mantua