As happens every four years, the archaeological site of Olympia, where the Games were held in ancient times, was once again dressed up for the Olympic torch lighting ceremony, just over 100 days before the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, next Friday, July 26.
This year's ceremony had a particularity, as the traditional concave mirror that diverts the sun's rays towards the torch could not be used, because this Tuesday, the Greek capital woke up cloudy.
The Greek actressMary Mina, served as High Priestess of Olympia and was in charge of lighting the fire using a reserve flame preserved from the general rehearsal on Monday.
The torch and an olive branch were presented to the first reliever, the Olympic gold medalist in single sculls, during the last edition of Tokyo 2020, the GreekStefanos Ntouskos.
After receiving the flame, Ntouskos carried it to the monument to Pierre de Coubertin, which houses the heart of the father of the modern Olympic movement.
Ntouskos passes the torch to the three-time French Olympic swimming medalistLaura Manaudou.
The third bearer of the Olympic flame was the vice president of the European Commission,Margaritis Schinas, who received it from Manaudou.
For 11 days this ritual will be carried out throughout Greece, in which more than 550 torchbearers will carry the flame, with the final destination being the Panathenaic Stadium for the handover ceremony to the French, which will take place on Friday, April 26, in an event that will begin at 6:30 p.m.
From there,The flame will be taken to the French embassy in Athens, where it will spend the night and the next day board the famous three-masted ship called Belem (which was first launched in 1896) to head to Marseille, France., where it will arrive on May 8.
The lighting ceremony was marked by messages of hope in an international context of tension.
"In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city-states, even – and especially – in times of war and conflict. Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings together the entire world in peaceful competition. The Olympic athletes send this powerful message: yes, it is possible to compete fiercely with each other and at the same time live together peacefully under one roof. Athletes will shine in their sport and show us what greatness humans are capable of with their excellence, determination and. resilience,” said Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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