Olympia, 10th May – the Olympic Flame was lit this morning in ancient Olympia. The final countdown to the London 2012 Games has begun.
The traditional ceremony took place under baking sun and tight security in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Greece, birthplace of the Ancient Games.
Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, representatives from the NOC, authorities and lots of Greek fans welcomed the international delegations.
Among them, were in attendance the IOC President, LOCOG representatives headed by Seb Coe, Presidents from the Olympic international Federations and a large delegation from the European Olympic Committees.
Dressed in traditional robes, actress Ino Menegaki played the key role of the high priestess who lights the flame from the rays of the sun.
First torchbearer Spyros Gianniotis, a Liverpool-born Greek swimmer who won the gold medal in the 10km open water event at the 2011 world championships, set off after paying tribute to Pierre de Coubertin – founder of the modern Games – whose heart is buried near the ancient site.
He will then pass it to 19-year-old Alexander Loukos, a Briton of Greek origin.
The Olympic flame will travel 2,900 Km in Greek territory, touching many towns and cities and five archaeological sites, ending on the May 17th in the old Olympic Stadium in Athens, where in 1896 the first modern day Olympics were held. The remaining two torch-bearers on Greek soil will be the weight lifter Pyrros Dimas and the Chinese Li Ning, the gymnast who lit the torch at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
The torch will leave Greece for the UK on May 18th, and will continue its journey until the 27th July, Opening Ceremony.
