Devendra Kumar
The Olympic flame, borne by Greek water polo player Ioannis Fountoulis, was lit in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the revered venue where the first modern Games were held in 1896. The torchbearer procession had already traversed a 5,000-kilometre route through Greece, passing through various islands and an overnight stop at the ancient Acropolis. The lighting ceremony was a special moment, with Greek actress Mary Mina dressed as an ancient Greek high priestess transmitting the flame to the head of Greece’s Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos. After a few moments of suspense, the flame was successfully lit in a lantern, which will carry it to France.
The flame was kindled at Olympia in southern Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, which were held for over 1,000 years from about 776 BC to AD 393. Tony Estanguet, the president of Paris 2024, was handed the torch, which would begin its 12-day journey to France’s southern port city of Marseille.
The journey is filled with historical significance, as the flame is being carried on a vessel that predates the modern Olympic Games. The ship, built in the same year as the first modern Games, will spend the night at the French embassy in Athens before departing for Marseille.
The Olympic flame will then be transported through France via a relay, culminating in the opening ceremony in Paris. The journey is a tribute to the rich history of the Olympic Games, which have been held every four years since 1896. The Games allow athletes from around the world to come together and showcase their skills in various competitions. The Paris 2024 Olympics are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, providing a thrilling showcase of international athletic competition. With the Olympic flame now officially on its way to France, the world can eagerly anticipate the excitement and spectacle that the Paris 2024 Olympics will bring.