Paris 2024 Olympics: The Lighting of the Sacred Flame
OLYMPIA: The sacred flame for the Paris 2024 Olympics was lit Tuesday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises.
Ancient Tradition Revived
In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city-states, even during times of war and conflict, said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. Today, the Olympic Games continue to bring the world together in peaceful competition, sending a powerful message of peaceful coexistence.
Owing to cloudy weather, Greek actresses in the role of ancient priestesses used a flame lit in a rehearsal Monday in the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, near the stadium where the Olympics were born in 776 BC. Carrying the flame in a pot, Greek actress Mary Mina lit the torch for the first bearer, 2020 Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos.
Inclusive and Sustainable Games
Officials stressed that the Paris 2024 Games will set new milestones, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability. These will be the very first Olympic Games with full gender parity, with exactly 50 percent of the places allocated to female and male athletes.
Paris Olympics chief organizer Tony Estanguet highlighted the progress made since the first Olympic Village was created for the Paris 2024 Games, emphasizing the ongoing evolution of the Games to be younger, more inclusive, more urban, and more sustainable.
A Journey Across Continents
During the 11-day relay on Greek soil, some 600 torchbearers will carry the flame over a distance of 5,000 kilometers through 41 municipalities. The Olympic flame will then be handed over to Paris 2024 organizers in a ceremony at the all-marble Panathenaic Stadium on April 26.
The flame will begin its journey to France on board the 19th-century three-masted barque Belem, traveling through 64 French territories and covering 12,000 kilometers. On July 26, it will form the centerpiece of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Security Measures and Ceremony Plans
French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined security measures for the opening ceremony, stating that it could be moved to the national stadium in the event of a security threat. The ceremony is planned to be held on the river Seine, a departure from previous traditions.