Historic Lighting of Paris 2024 Olympic Flame in Olympia
Witness the historic moment as the 2024 Paris Olympics flame is ignited in Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics. Follow the flame's relay journey to illuminate the cauldron during the grand opening of the Summer Games in July.
The flame for the 2024 Paris Olympics has been ignited in Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics. The flame will start its relay journey to light the cauldron at the opening of the Summer Games in July.
Dignitaries and members of the public came together in the stadium, where the first recorded Games took place in 776 BC, to see the flame being lit.
In a beautifully planned event filled with meaning, actresses dressed as ancient priestesses walked into the stadium to escort the head priestess to the Temple of Hera. This temple is believed to be where important religious ceremonies were held in ancient Greece and where the lighting ceremony now takes place.
The head priestess, seeking the assistance of the god of light, Apollo, used the sun's rays to light the flame. She held a torch filled with fuel up to a curved mirror, allowing the sunlight to ignite the fire.
The flame will be carried through Greece for 11 days before being handed over to Paris organizers on April 26.
The flame will be carried through Greece for 11 days before being handed over to Paris organizers on April 26.
Thanassis Stavrakis/AP
The first such choreographed ritual was first established for the 1936 Berlin Games with the costumes and torch designs capturing the minds of creatives.
In Ancient Olympia, the home of the ancient Olympics for over 1,000 years, a flame was believed to always burn on a shrine, representing the timeless values of the Games: the continuous strive for greatness and the bond of humanity.
More than 10,000 torchbearers carried the flame across thousands of miles.
The first torchbearer for the Olympic torch relay is Greek Olympic gold medalist rower Stefanos Ntouskos.
In an interview with CNN before the event, Ntouskos expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to be the first runner, calling it "a great honor."
"It's amazing to be here in ancient Olympia today as a Greek, where I have grown up surrounded by images of the relay. Receiving a flame that will journey all the way to the Paris Olympics is truly incredible," he shared.
Greek Olympic gold medalist Stefanos Ntouskos is the first torchbearer for this year's relay.
Greek Olympic gold medalist Stefanos Ntouskos is the first torchbearer for this year's relay.
Elinda Labropoulou/CNN
Ntouskos admitted feeling a mix of nerves and excitement as he prepared for the Paris 2024 competition. "I've been in many races before and I understand the challenges, but I'm looking forward to some amazing experiences there," he shared.
A 3D rendering of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Torch, designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, has been unveiled. Arcelor Mittal is set to produce the 2,000 torches.
A 3D rendering of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Torch, created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, has been revealed. Arcelor Mittal will manufacture the 2,000 torches.
Mathieu Lehanneur/Paris 2024
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The torch for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been revealed.
The relay will kick off with a 5,000-kilometer journey across Greece that will last for 11 days. More than 600 torchbearers, including elite athletes and members of the public, are anticipated to participate in this exciting event.
The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens is where the flame will end its journey, marking the historic site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. On April 26, the flame will be handed over to the Paris Olympic organizers in a special ceremony.
Afterward, the flame will travel to Marseille, a port city in France. The journey will be on the Belem, a three-masted historic vessel that originally served as a cargo ship for transporting sugar from the West Indies.
Relays over the years have included many adventurous journeys; the flame has been right around the world, gone into space, traveled underwater and scaled Everest.
Ntouskos carrying the touch during the start of the relay. Over 600 torchbearers will take part in a 5,000km journey across Greece over the next 11 days before the flame is handed over to France.
Ntouskos leading the way at the beginning of the relay. A total of more than 600 torchbearers will be participating in a 5,000km journey throughout Greece in the next 11 days. After that, the flame will be passed on to France.
Photo credit: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
The torch is scheduled to arrive in France on May 8 for the next leg of the relay. Throughout the years, the torch has been carried by hundreds of thousands of individuals. For this journey, it is anticipated to be passed from one torchbearer to another by approximately 10,000 people before reaching the Olympic cauldron in Paris on July 26. The flame will stay lit until the Closing Ceremony two weeks later.
Following the Olympic Games, the flame will continue to light up the Paralympic Games, which will take place from August 28 to September 8. Around 1,000 torchbearers will participate in relaying the torch across 50 French towns and cities during this time.
France has promised a grand Games and they will be the first to host an Opening Ceremony outside of a stadium. The plan is for around 10,500 athletes to parade through the heart of Paris along the river Seine, as revealed by local organizers.
Recently, France announced that the attendance capacity for the Opening Ceremony will be cut in half for security reasons. Originally planned for 600,000 people, now only about 324,000 will be able to attend.
French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned in an interview on Monday that a Plan B is being considered for the Olympic ceremony due to security concerns. This alternative plan may involve moving the ceremony to a stadium. He also expressed his commitment to upholding the values of the Olympic Truce.
The ancient Olympic Games were not only a stage for sports competitions but also a symbol of unity and peace promotion. One of the traditions during the Games was the observance of a sacred truce. This Olympic Truce aimed to ensure safe travels for athletes and spectators journeying to and from Olympia.
Efforts to revive the Olympic Truce, a universal goal promoted by the UN since 1993, have been ongoing. However, there has been only limited success so far.
This story has been updated with more information.
