Legendary ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter has been given the honour of being part of the 2026 Winter Olympics Torch Relay.
The American superstar has won every race that matters in ultrarunning, while raising the bar for women in the sport.
It means she’s the undisputed GOAT, with her victories in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc coming in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
That is the sport’s blue riband event and the 100+ mile loop circles the Mont-Blanc massif, starting in Chamonix in France before travelling through Italy and crossing into Switzerland before returning to France.
Grazie mille!
And Dauwalter was back in Italy last week as part of the Torch Relay which will see 10,001 torchbearers carry the Olympic flame some 12,000km across 110 provinces and all 20 regions of Italy, over a 63-day period before the Games take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezz from 6 to 22 February.
Writing on Instagram, Dauwalter said: “A huge honor to carry the Olympic torch in Italy! 🥹 Felt the weight of the dreams, the teamwork, the dedication, the patience, the joy, the nerves, and the beauty of trying hard all in this torch as it makes its way towards the opening ceremonies.
“Thank you for the inspiration! Grazie mille! 🔥”
Hollywood glamour
Lots of other high-profile names have been part of the relay too, including Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, stars of the television series Heated Rivalry.
The actors play rival ice hockey players on screen and brought a touch of Hollywood to the latest leg.
