Olympia

"Apollo, God of Sun and the idea of the Light, send your rays and light the sacred torch for the hospitable city of Paris, and you Zeus, give peace to all peoples on earth and wreath the winners of the Sacred Race," Mary Mina said.

April 16, 2024: The Paris 2024 Olympics flame was ceremonially lit at the ancient site of Olympia in Peloponnese, southern Greece. Greek actress Mary Mina, portraying the High Priestess, ignited the torch by concentrating the sun's rays with a parabolic mirror.

The first torchbearer, Stefanos Ntouskos, receives the flame from Mary Mina. A white dove is released as he holds the Olympic Flame, symbolizing the ideals of friendship and peace.

This symbolic act took place in front of the ancient temple of Hera, the wife of Zeus, within the archaeological grounds of Olympia. Nearby lies the temple dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.

April 26, 2024: From 16 to 26 April, 600 torchbearers carried the Olympic flame over 500 km across Greece. Ioannis Fountoulis was the final torchbearer in Greece before the Olympic flame was officially handed over to Paris 2024. He is the final torchbearer for the Greek-leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. He had the honour of lighting the cauldron of the Panathenaic Stadium. He is an Olympic medallist in water polo.

See Also: Olympics | Olympia | En Route Paris | Land Ahoy | Paris 2024