Paris Olympics flame to be lit with elan at Greek cradle of ancient games
Time:2024-05-03 15:30:15 Source:worldViews(143)
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — One way or another, the flame that’s to burn at the Paris Olympics will be kindled Tuesday at the site of the ancient games in southern Greece.
Forecast cloudy skies could frustrate efforts to produce the flame in the customary fashion, when an actress dressed as an ancient Greek priestess uses the sun to ignite a silver torch.
If that doesn’t work, French organizers will get their flame from a backup that was successfully lit at a final rehearsal Monday.
In an elaborately choreographed ceremony first used in 1936, the foremost of a group of priestesses in long, pleated dresses offers a prayer to the ancient Greek sun god, Apollo. She then dips the fuel-filled torch into a parabolic mirror which focuses the sun’s rays on it, and fire spurts forth.
From the ancient stadium in Olympia, a relay of torchbearers will carry the flame more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) through Greece until the handover to Paris Games organizers in Athens on April 26.
Previous:Imperial Chinese wine jar stolen from Belgian museum
Next:Ricky Stenhouse Jr. signs multiyear extension with JTG Daugherty Racing for NASCAR Cup Series
You may also like
- The Kentucky Derby in the words of the winners, from Smith to Espinoza
- National defense ministry slams 'Taiwan independence' separatists
- Two killed in shooting at Ferguson, Missouri, gas station; officer fired shots
- Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 32,414
- Swiatek returns to Madrid Open final by beating Keys in straight sets
- Artworks shine at the international consumer products expo
- Girls Aloud poke fun at iconic clip where Cheryl insisted they would NEVER get back together
- UN Security Council revisits Palestine's UN membership application
- Rwanda marks Int'l Labor Day with emphasis on youth digital skills promotion