ROME (AP) — The Olympic flame for the Milan Cortina Winter Games landed in Rome on Thursday following a handover in Greece.

The flame was carried in a small lantern aboard an ITA Airways flight between the Greek and Italian capitals.

Tennis player Jasmine Paolini — an Olympic gold medalist — and local organizing committee president Giovanni Malagò carried the flame off the plane.

“I feel honored. It’s an incredible emotion,” Paolini said in brief remarks before the lantern was driven away toward the presidential palace.

A 63-day torch relay covering 12,000 kilometers (nearly 7,500 miles) will start in Rome on Saturday and wind its way through all 110 Italian provinces before reaching Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony on Feb. 6.

It’s the first time in nearly 20

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