Greece ignited the Olympic flame
The Olympic torch relay was officially launched today, April 21, in the Greek ceremony, which was lit cherished torch.
Traditionally, the ritual was held on the ruins of the temple of the goddess Hera, with the participation of dancers and actors, who recreated the spirit of ancient Olympia — a tribute to the myth of the Titan Prometheus, who, against the will of Zeus, gave fire to people. So, the Greek actress Katerina Lech played the role of ancient priestesses and before light a fire (by the way, not lighters or matches, and from the sun’s rays and a special prism!), said a prayer to Apollo. After she passed the torch to a Greek athlete, the International Petrounias, world champion in gymnastics — that he first had the honour to carry the torch.
In Greece the Olympic flame will stay for six days, and to carry the torch will be hundreds of people, including one Syrian refugee. On 27 April the may fire will give the representatives of Brazil, the country where the application will be current Olympic summer games, and the torch will go to the UN in Geneva and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
Finally, on 3 may, the fire will be in Brazil: the torch will be carried through 329 cities of the country, and in the relay will be attended by 12 thousand chelovek. Large-scale ritual will be completed only on the day of opening of XXXI Olympic games, 5 August. Game, recall, will be held in Rio de Janeiro until 21 August.
