Watch: Cloudy skies stop sun sparking Olympic torch journey
17 Apr 2024
BBC
A Greek actress playing the role of a high priestess lights the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia, Greece.
The Olympic torch has begun its mega journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of a high priestess, lit the flame in a dramatic ceremony in ancient Olympia, Greece, where the first Olympic games were held in 776 BC. The flame was meant to be lit by the sun's rays - as is tradition - but cloudy skies meant a back-up flame was used.
She handed the torch to Greece's Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos, who started the relay which will see it travel across Greece and over the Mediterranean on a ship.
It then heads through mainland France, and to France's overseas territories, before arriving in Paris for the opening ceremony on 26 July.