Symbolic Flame Lighting Ceremony Kicks off Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia

Around 100 days before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Olympic flame was ignited at Ancient Olympia, Greece. The flame will travel through Greece to France, arriving in Marseille on May 8 and reaching Paris for the opening ceremony on July 26.

Actress Mary Mina, portraying an ancient Greek High Priestess, lit the torch using a backup flame at the 2,500-year-old Temple of Hera. Dignitaries present included IOC President Thomas Bach and President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The flame was passed to the first torchbearer, Greek rower Stefanos Douskos, who then handed it to Laure Manaudou, a French Olympic champion. Approximately 600 torchbearers will carry the flame over 5,000km, passing through cities and archaeological sites in Greece.

The Olympic flame will be handed over to Paris 2024 organizers on April 26 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The next day, it will board the French vessel Belem at Piraeus port for its journey to France. The flame symbolizes peace and unity, connecting past and present Olympic Games.