The Olympic flame is back: Greek actress Katerina Lechou performs the role of the high priestess as she lights the Olympic flame at the Temple of Hera at the site of ancient Olympia.
The Olympic flame is back: Greek actress Katerina Lechou performs the role of the high priestess as she lights the Olympic flame at the Temple of Hera at the site of ancient Olympia.
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The traditions of the torch-lighting ceremony, which include playing of the ancient Greek instrument the lyra and the release of a white dove for peace, were established at the Berlin Games in 1936.
The traditions of the torch-lighting ceremony, which include playing of the ancient Greek instrument the lyra and the release of a white dove for peace, were established at the Berlin Games in 1936.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
Lechou passes the Olympic flame into a small ceramic bowl. The ceremony was performed at the site where the Olympics were born in 776 BC and remained for 12 centuries.
Lechou passes the Olympic flame into a small ceramic bowl. The ceremony was performed at the site where the Olympics were born in 776 BC and remained for 12 centuries.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
The first torchbearer was Greek gymnastics world champion Eleftherios Petrounias. The torch is beginning a six-day relay tour of Greece which includes a pass through a refugee camp in Athens.
The first torchbearer was Greek gymnastics world champion Eleftherios Petrounias. The torch is beginning a six-day relay tour of Greece which includes a pass through a refugee camp in Athens.
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Gold medal-winner Petrounias said he was said <a href="https://www.chinalucky8.com/2016/04/20/sport/olympics-2016-torch-relay-brazil-greece/index.html">he was shocked</a> to be chosen as the first torch bearer. "I was driving when I heard," he told the Games' official website. "I almost crashed my car."
Gold medal-winner Petrounias said he was said he was shocked to be chosen as the first torch bearer. "I was driving when I heard," he told the Games' official website. "I almost crashed my car."
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The Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host the opening ceremony for Brazil 2016. The Games run from 5-21 August.
The Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host the opening ceremony for Brazil 2016. The Games run from 5-21 August.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images