Strict rules Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie must follow in new Olympic role

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are on to their next venture after the steamy sports series, Heated Rivalry.

The show premiered at the end of November last year, which saw Williams and Storrie shoot to stardom. From their roles as rival hockey-stars-turned-lovers, they ended up presenting together at the Golden Globes, and the book series, which the show is based on, became a bestseller. Rachel Reid’s romance has been renewed for a second season, but what might come as a shock to many is that the pair will now enter the Olympics.

Okay, so they haven’t been mistaken for athletes, despite their onscreen characters, but they have been selected to hold the torch at the Winter Olympics in Milan. As the official torchbearers during the Olympic Torch Relay, on 6 February before the opening ceremony, the HBO Max actors will also have to adhere to some pretty strict rules.

According to the official Olympics website, there are ways they have to act, and conduct themselves.

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are participating in the Olympics (HBO Max)

Per the site, they will have to commit to ‘strict compliance with all rules, instructions, and guidelines issued by Milano Cortina 2026, its representatives, security personnel, and public authorities before, during, and after their participation in the Torch Relays’.

This includes sticking to the Olympic and Paralympic values in the Olympic Charter of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), its Fundamental Principles of Olympism, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Handbook, and the Codes of Ethics.

These include:

• Acting in accordance with the universal values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including their ‘unwavering’ commitment to ‘non-discrimination in all its forms’.
• Maintaining a ‘respectful and appropriate demeanour, adhering to all instructions from Milano Cortina 2026 staff, security personnel, and authorities during all activities related to the Torch Relays’.
• Providing all documents and information requested by Milano Cortina 2026 ‘accurately, completely, and sincerely, within the defined timeframes and via the designated application platform’.
• They also have to notify Milano Cortina 2026 of any changes to their personal data or circumstances that might mess with their duties.
• They also need to wear the official uniform of the Olympic Torch Relay and the Paralympic Torch Relay ‘exactly as instructed’, which is worn ‘over personal clothing in such a way that no other trademarks, logos, or affiliations are visible’.

I mean, that’s a lot of rules. But wait, there’s more.

They will hold the torch (Tiziana FABI / AFP via Getty Images)

Per the Olympics, the torchbearer cannot pass the role to anyone else, they need to be born after 5 December 2011, align with the values of the Olympic, cannot have been involved in doping or have revoked accreditation, must complete a detailed application, and adhere ‘to specific terms, including geographical proximity for some segments, is required’.

People that get chosen by the organisation to hold the torch are usually those who make a significant local impact in sports, social causes, innovation, or sustainability, who ‘exemplify ideals like inclusion, dedication, and building a better society’, are a customer, employee or selection from a sponsor, are an aspiring or famous athlete, or are even chosen from the public.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US and Europe, including Italy and Germany.

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