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86-Year-Old Skater Lights Olympic Cauldron, Inspires Generations

2/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Manuela Angeli, an 86-year-old figure skater, lit the Olympic cauldron in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, 70 years after her 1956 Winter Games.
She began skating on natural ice and trained seven to eight hours daily.
She qualified for the Olympics after finishing second at the Italian championships.
Angeli retired after the Olympics to focus on her studies, noting that today’s skaters are more skilled and professional than in her amateur days.

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Story summary

Manuela Angeli, an 86-year-old figure skater, lit the Olympic cauldron in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, 70 years after her 1956 Winter Games.
She began skating on natural ice and trained seven to eight hours daily.
She qualified for the Olympics after finishing second at the Italian championships.
Angeli retired after the Olympics to focus on her studies, noting that today’s skaters are more skilled and professional than in her amateur days.