ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece – Following ancient tradition, the Olympic torch relay for the upcoming 2024 games began its long journey to Paris on Tuesday.
Beginning with a ceremony in the ruins of the Temple of Hera, a “high priestess” asked the Sun God Apollo for help in lighting the flame.
Typically, the ceremony captures the sun’s rays with a mirror to light the flame, but due to cloudy conditions on Tuesday, a pre-lit flame was used instead.
According to tradition, a Greek athlete is the first torch bearer, followed by a representative from the host nation.
This year, Stefanos Touskos, a Greek Olympic rower started off the relay. He then transferred his flame to a French Olympic swimmer.
The torch will be carried over 3,000 miles during an approximately 68-day period on its journey to the host nation, Paris. There, the relay will end with the lighting of the Olympic Flame at the games’ opening ceremony on July 26.
