Tuesday, April 16, 2024
The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics will commence with the lighting of the sacred flame this Tuesday in Olympia, the historical birthplace of the ancient Games, setting the stage for an extensive torch relay that promises to captivate and attract tourists from around the globe. The ceremony will take place in the quaint town of Olympia, located in the southwestern Peloponnese of Greece, where the original Olympics began in 776 BCE. This event, rich in history and tradition, is held every two years and will, for the first time since the pandemic, welcome back spectators, adding to its grandeur and significance.
The torch relay is set to be a monumental event, stretching from the iconic Acropolis all the way to the South Pacific, involving hundreds of dignitaries, athletes, and performers. During a rehearsal on Monday, Greek actress Mary Mina was seen igniting the Olympic flame using a parabolic mirror, a method that will be repeated during the actual ceremony, ensuring the flame’s continuity even under potential overcast conditions.
The event will be hosted at the ancient ruins of the Temple of Hera, overseen by prominent figures including Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. The presence of French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo highlights the ceremony’s importance as a prelude to the Olympics in Paris.
Artemis Ignatiou, the choreographer and artistic director, described the enchanting atmosphere of the ceremony, likening it to a journey back in time, enhancing the mystique and appeal for tourists and spectators. The relay will feature notable participants such as American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who will perform the Olympic anthem, and retired French swimmer Laure Manaudou, rumored to be the first torchbearer for France.
The flame will travel through Greece for 11 days, carried by 600 torchbearers across 41 municipalities, covering 5,000 kilometers. This Greek leg will conclude with a handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, after which the flame will embark on its journey to France aboard the historic barque Belem.
In France, the relay will see 10,000 torchbearers traverse 400 towns and various tourist hotspots across 64 French territories, enhancing its visibility and the opportunity for tourists to engage with the Olympic spirit across diverse landscapes. The culmination of this journey will be a spectacular opening ceremony on the River Seine in Paris, marking a historic departure from traditional stadium-based openings.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
