2024 Olympics / Greece: The Olympic flame was lit today at the ancient site of Olympia
The Olympic flame for the competition was lit on Tuesday, April 16th, at the site of Olympia, Greece, marking the final stretch before the launch of the Paris Olympics.
This year, the tradition of lighting the Olympic flame is upheld 101 days before the Paris Olympics, following two editions marred by restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 for the Tokyo Summer Olympics and the Beijing Winter Olympics, respectively.
The ceremony took place in the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, in front of the 2,600-year-old ruins of the Temple of Hera, by the « high priestess, » dressed in attire inspired by antiquity.
It was attended by approximately 600 guests, including the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach. As is customary every two years, the ceremony was held near the stadium where young athletes of antiquity competed in the first Games in the 8th century BCE.
« In these difficult times, where wars and conflicts are multiplying, people are tired of hatred » said the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a brief address.
« In all our hearts, we long for something that brings us together again, something that unites us, something that gives us hope », continued Thomas Bach before adding «The Olympic flame that we light today symbolizes this hope».
Meanwhile, the President of the Paris Olympics organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, believes that the competition in 2024 is « more than ever an inspiration (…) for all of us and for future generations » as the world is shaken by crises.
