The Olympic flame has been
kindled at the birthplace of the ancient games in Greece, heralding the
start of a 15-week journey leading to the Aug. 5 opening ceremony in Rio
de Janeiro.
IOC and Rio organizing committee leaders attended
Thursday's flame-lighting at Ancient Olympia, where antiquity's greatest
sporting event was held for over 1,000 years.
They voiced
confidence Brazil will overcome its political and economic problems to
stage successful games, the first in South America.
The flame was
lit by an actress impersonating a pagan high priestess and will be
delivered to the first torchbearer, Greek world gymnastics champion
Eleftherios Petrounias. It will traverse Greece for six days, until the
April 27 handover to Brazilian officials in Athens.
After a brief stopover in Switzerland, the flame will start its travels through Brazil on May 3.
(AP)
The President of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee Carlos Nuzman hugs
IOC President Thomas Bach during the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic
flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece, Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame
will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de
Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Olympic Games.
A boy and a girl hold the Brazilian and Greek, right, flags during the
ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece,
Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay
to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
Dancers dressed as priestesses display the Olympic flame during the
ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece,
Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay
to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
Dancers dressed as priestesses display the Olympic flame during the
ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece,
Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay
to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
Dancers dressed as priestesses display the Olympic flame during the
ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece,
Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay
to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
A dancer dressed as priestess lights the Olympic flame with a parabolic
mirror during the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient
Olympia, Greece, Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported
by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host
the 2016 Olympic Games.
Dancers dressed as priestesses hand over the Olympic flame during the
ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece,
Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay
to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
Dancers dressed as priestesses hand over the Olympic flame during the
ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece,
Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay
to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach delivers a speech during the ceremonial
lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece, Thursday,
April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the
Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Olympic
Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach delivers a speech during the ceremonial
lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece, Thursday,
April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the
Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Olympic
Games.
President of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee Carlos Nuzman speaks
during the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia,
Greece, Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch
relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016
Olympic Games.
Former Brazilian volleyball player Giovane Gavio gives thumb up before
carrying the torch during the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame
in Ancient Olympia, Greece, Thursday, April 21, 2016. The flame will be
transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro,
which will host the 2016 Olympic Games.
