Torch lit in ruins of ancient Olympia, Greek birthplace of Games, starting 3,100-mile relay that will end in July
A taste of the drama and beauty of this summer’s Paris Olympics has unfolded in the foothills of Greece with the lighting of the flame that will illuminate the world’s biggest sports event.
In a ceremony held amid the ruins of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Games 2,800 years ago, the flame was kindled by performers dressed as priestesses, though this year because of weather conditions the torch was not ignited as usual in a parabolic mirror – which focuses the sun’s rays – but from a flame lit during a rehearsal.
Emerging from the ruins, where she had invoked Apollo, the Greek sun god, for light and peace “for all peoples of the world”, the actor playing the role of high priestess then handed the flame to the first of hundreds of torchbearers who will carry it on an 11-day journey around Greece.
