The Olympic flame for the Paris Games was lit on Tuesday at the ancient site of Olympia in southern Greece, despite cloudy skies preventing the traditional lighting ceremony. Instead of using the sun’s rays to ignite the silver torch, the actress portraying an ancient Greek priestess used a backup flame that had been lit the day before during the final rehearsal.
From Olympia, the flame will be carried by a relay of torchbearers through Greece for over 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) until it is handed over to the Paris Games organizers in Athens on April 26.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach emphasized the significance of the flame lighting ceremony, stating that it combines a connection to the past with hope for the future, especially in difficult times when people are seeking unity and positivity.
Thousands of spectators from around the world gathered in Olympia to witness the event, which took place amid the ruins of ancient temples and sports grounds where the original games were held from 776 B.C. to 393 A.D. Greek authorities maintained high security to prevent any disruptions, as had occurred during the lighting ceremonies for the Beijing summer and winter games.
The first torchbearer was Greek rower Stefanos Douskos, followed by French swimmer Laure Manaudou and senior European Union official Margaritis Schinas. The flame will be transported from Athens to Marseille, France, on the Belem, a French three-masted sailing ship built in 1896.
Bach praised the Paris organizers for their outstanding preparations and highlighted the environmental impact of the games, noting that cleanup efforts will make it possible to swim in the River Seine for the first time in a century. Despite the excitement surrounding the Olympic flame, some spectators, such as Jean-Michel Pasquet from Brittany, France, acknowledged that attending the Paris Games in person would be too expensive and that they would have to watch from home.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.