Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who rose to international prominence with their lead roles in the television seriesHeated Rivalry, have been announced as official torchbearers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The pair will participate in the iconic Olympic torch relay, which culminates in Milan on February 6, the same day as the opening ceremony at the historic San Siro football stadium.

While organisers have yet to confirm the exact leg of the relay Williams and Storrie will carry, their selection reflects the increasing influence of film and television stars in major global sporting events. The torch relay remains a powerful Olympic tradition, symbolising unity, peace and continuity as the flame travels through host regions before the Games officially begin.

Heated Rivalry, created by Canadian writer-director Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling novels, follows the lives of elite ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Since its debut in late 2025, the series has attracted a strong international fanbase and was quickly renewed for a second season. Its association with the Winter Olympics further strengthens its cultural relevance ahead of the 2026 Games.

The announcement was made by HBO Max, which streamsHeated Rivalryglobally and also holds broadcasting rights for the Winter Olympics across the United States and several European markets. Notably, Milano Cortina 2026 will mark the first time the Winter Olympics are streamed on HBO Max in Italy and Germany, expanding the platform’s sports footprint.

Williams has already made several high-profile appearances in Milan in the lead-up to the Games, including walking the runway at Milan Men’s Fashion Week for Dsquared2’s ski-inspired collection and attending a Giorgio Armani show. These appearances highlight the growing intersection of fashion, entertainment and winter sports as excitement builds for the Olympics.

The inclusion of Williams and Storrie as torchbearers underscores how the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are embracing pop culture icons alongside sporting traditions, reinforcing the Games’ global appeal.