Amid the tumbledown columns and olive groves of the ancient stadium in Olympia, the high priestess holds the torch high at the lighting ceremony.
Igniting Olympic spirit —
Amid the tumbledown columns and olive groves of the ancient stadium in Olympia, the high priestess holds the torch high at the lighting ceremony.
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The priestess, played by Greek actress Ino Menegaki, lifts the "Archaic Pot" from which the flame is lit.
Blazing glory —
The priestess, played by Greek actress Ino Menegaki, lifts the "Archaic Pot" from which the flame is lit.
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The flame was lit in the ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, where actors used a concave mirror to harness the sun's rays.
Solemn ceremony —
The flame was lit in the ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, where actors used a concave mirror to harness the sun's rays.
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More than 8,000 torch-bearers will carry the flame before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in east London on July 27. The first was Greek swimming champion Spyros Gianniotis.
The journey begins —
More than 8,000 torch-bearers will carry the flame before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in east London on July 27. The first was Greek swimming champion Spyros Gianniotis.
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The Liverpool-born swimmer handed the torch to 19-year-old British boxer Alexander Loukos.
Historic handover —
The Liverpool-born swimmer handed the torch to 19-year-old British boxer Alexander Loukos.
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Loukos grew up in east London, where the Olympic Stadium is situated, but his father hails from Greece. Making its way to Britain, the flame will first take in Greek archaeological sites including the Acropolis and Olympic Stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Games in 1896.
Towards Britain —
Loukos grew up in east London, where the Olympic Stadium is situated, but his father hails from Greece. Making its way to Britain, the flame will first take in Greek archaeological sites including the Acropolis and Olympic Stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Games in 1896.
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