Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie take part in historic Olympic torch relay

Heated Rivalry leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will carry the Olympic Flame ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, the breakout stars of the hit television series Heated Rivalry, have been confirmed as torchbearers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay. 

The two actors will help carry the Olympic Flame on its journey toward the Opening Ceremony, scheduled to take place on February 6, 2026.

Williams and Storrie lead Heated Rivalry, a widely popular series created by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Jacob Tierney. The show follows elite ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Williams and Storrie, whose fierce rivalry on the ice gradually evolves into a complex personal relationship off it. Since its debut, the series has gained strong international traction, particularly among sports drama fans, for its emotional storytelling and authentic portrayal of professional hockey culture.

Their participation in the Olympic torch relay highlights the growing connection between global entertainment and major sporting events. The Milano Cortina 2026 organizers selected the actors as part of a broader effort to involve cultural figures who resonate with younger and international audiences, especially those with ties to winter sports narratives.

In addition to Williams and Storrie, Heated Rivalry features a notable supporting cast including François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova.

In Italy, Heated Rivalry is set to premiere on HBO Max in February. The streaming platform is also an Official Olympic Rights Media Holder and will provide live and on-demand coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

As anticipation builds for the Games, the inclusion of Heated Rivalry’s leading actors in the torch relay adds a pop culture moment to one of the Olympics’ most symbolic traditions.