Greek actress Mary Mina (front R), in the role of the High Priestess, passes the flame to the first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos (front L) during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic flame that will be burning for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games started its journey after being ignited at the birthplace of the Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece on Tuesday during a traditional ceremony.
Actress Mary Mina, in the role of an ancient Greek High Priestess, lit the torch using a backup flame instead of a concave mirror due to cloudy skies before the 2,500-year-old Temple of Hera, a goddess in ancient Greek mythology.
Escorted by dozens of female and male dancers playing the roles of priestesses and male youth in pleated costumes, the flame was transported in a replica of an ancient urn to the stadium where the Olympic Games were born, under the rhythm of an ancient Greek type Lyra and percussions.
Following a dance performance by the artists inspired by ancient Greek statues on the slope of the stadium, the High Priestess kindled the first Olympic torch for the Games and passed it to the first torchbearer, Greek rowing gold medalist Stefanos Ntouskos, along with an olive branch.
In parallel, a dancer released a white pigeon to spread the Olympic ideals of friendship and peace to the world as the flame's journey started.
Approximately 600 torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame over some 5,000km across Greece, passing through dozens of cities and archaeological sites, according to the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
The flame will be handed over to the Paris 2024 organizers on April 26 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the venue of the first modern Olympics in 1896.
The following day, it will board Belem, a French three-masted vessel that was launched in 1896, on Piraeus port.
The Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11. ■
Greek actress Mary Mina, in the role of High Priestess, lights the torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
The first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos, runs with the Olympic torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
The first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos (R) lights the torch of the second torch bearer, French swimming Olympic champion Laure Manaudou during the torch relay after the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
The first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos, runs with the Olympic torch during the torch relay after the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
The first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos (R) and the second torch bearer, French swimming Olympic champion Laure Manaudou pose during the torch relay after the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Actresses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
An actress playing the role of an ancient priestess releases a dove during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Actresses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Greek actress Mary Mina, in the role of High Priestess, shows the flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
An actress playing the role of an ancient priestess releases a dove during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Greek actress Mary Mina (front), in the role of High Priestess, shows the torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Actresses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Greek actress Mary Mina (front), in the role of High Priestess, performs during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Greek actress Mary Mina, in the role of High Priestess, holds the torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Actresses playing the role of ancient priestesses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Presidential guards are seen ahead of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina, in the role of High Priestess, holds the torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina (1st R), in the role of High Priestess, carries the flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Actresses playing the role of ancient priestesses arrive at the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
An actress playing the role of an ancient priestess hits a percussion during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina, in the role of High Priestess, holds the urn with flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina (C), in the role of High Priestess, performs during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
A staff checks the temperature of the concave mirror ahead of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
This photo taken on April 16, 2024 shows the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina (front R), in the role of High Priestess, lights the flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
The first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos, runs with the Olympic torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
An actress, playing the role of an ancient priestess, holds the urn with flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Presidential guards are seen ahead of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Actresses playing the role of ancient priestesses arrive at the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (3rd L), President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach (2nd R) and President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Member of the International Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos (2nd L) watch the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina (front), in the role of High Priestess, performs during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Actresses playing the role of ancient priestesses perform during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
An actress playing the role of an ancient priestess hits a percussion during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina (front), in the role of High Priestess, picks up the torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
The first torch bearer, Greek rowing Olympic champion Stefanos Ntouskos, runs with the Olympic torch during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (front C), President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach (front R) and President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Member of the International Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos (front L) are seen ahead of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
An actress playing the role of an ancient priestess performs during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina (L), in the role of the High Priestess, holds the flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Greek actress Mary Mina, in the role of the High Priestess, holds the flame during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Olympic Rings formed by young people are seen during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
An Olympic torch is seen during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach (front) delivers a speech during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
