Mayor Gian Giuseppe Vargiu is angry and doesn't mince his words, firmly expressing the municipal administration 's disappointment with the decision of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation to exclude Narbolia from the route of the Olympic torch . The torch of the XXVI Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games , scheduled for 6 to 22 February 2026 , will cross the island on 13 and 14 December 2025 , but will not pass through the hometown of world champion and Olympic gold medalist Alessia Orro , a protagonist at Paris 2024.
The route communicated by the Foundation includes the torch's transit through Olbia , Sassari , Porto Torres , Alghero , Nuoro , Oristano , Sanluri , Quartu Sant'Elena , and Cagliari , with detours through Stintino , Barumini, and Iglesias . Not through Narbolia , despite its direct connection to one of the most iconic athletes in Italian sport.
"I have no quarrel with the municipalities involved," Vargiu emphasizes, "but the torch will not pass through places where Olympic champions were born. This decision fails to recognize the athletes' merit and sporting history ."
The mayor also emphasized the financial aspect: the Sardinia Region has allocated €150,000 for the event, with €12,000 for each municipality crossed and €15,000 for the stopover cities. This is an opportunity Narbolia was keen to seize, not only for symbolic reasons, but also to actively contribute to the organization.
Vargiu therefore addresses an official appeal to the president of the Region Alessandra Todde , to the regional councillor for Sport Ilaria Portas , to the president of the CONI Bruno Perra and to the president of the Ffipav Eliseo Secci , so that they act as interpreters of a request for a revision of the route which includes Narbolia .
"On behalf of the entire community," Vargiu emphasizes, "I express my deep regret for the lack of inclusion. Alessia Orro is a source of pride for all of Sardinia , and she has never lost her connection to her hometown. Giving visibility to Narbolia means recognizing the value of those who have elevated the name of our land."
The mayor's protest is part of a broader institutional outrage , which already emerged during the recent international volleyball tournament held in Oristano , where Orro was present with his new team. "We were also excluded from the awards ceremony there," Vargiu added, "because we could only offer free sponsorship ."
The ball is now in the institutions' court, called upon to respond to a demand for equity and representation .
