Just after 11:30 a.m., the stuffing ceremony to light the Olympic flame began in Ancient Olympia ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris this summer.
Before the ceremony began, the Greek and French flags were hoisted by a presidential guard. The President attended the function Katerina SakellaropoulouHe was accompanied by the President of the IOC Thomas Bach and President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Cabralos.
“From here we send a real message of world peace”, said Aris Panagiotopoulos, the mayor of Ancient Olympia, among others.
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“On this soil, the greatest gift of humanity, the Olympic Games, was born, and for that we are grateful to the Greeks,” emphasized IOC President Thomas Bach.
The ritual of touching the Olympic flame took place in the Temple of Hera. Protheria, in whose hands the Olympic flame was “born”, actress Mary MinaOlympic gold medalist Stefanos Duskos He was the first torchbearer to pass the flame to European Commission Vice President Margaritis Soina.
The choreography – Rustling of the Sacred Silence – was inspired and directed by choreographer Artemis Ignatius, composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou and performed by 35 priests and 15 priests.
The dancers' costumes were created by internationally renowned designer Mary Katrantzou.
The Olympic anthem was performed by leading mezzo-soprano Joyce Di Donato, while renowned journalist Nikos Aliakas was the host.
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