Paris organizers take delivery of Olympic flame at Greek venue of first modern Games
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Paris Oympics flame was formally handed to French organizers on Friday in the all-marble stadium where the first modern Games were held in Athens in 1896.
Greek water polo player Ioannis Fountoulis, the last in a long line of torchbearers, used the flame to light a cauldron at the Panathenaic Stadium. From there, it was delivered to Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet.
A few moments of suspense followed as assistants struggled to light the lantern that will carry the flame to France.
“It wants to stay in Greece,” Estanguet joked.
Safely in the lantern, the flame will depart for France on Saturday on a 19th century sailing ship across the Mediterranean Sea, to make landfall 12 days later in the southern port city of Marseille.
The flame was kindled on April 16 at Olympia in southern Greece, where the ancient games were held for more than 1,000 years from about 776 B.C. to A.D. 393.
Related articles
Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
A defiant resident infuriated by the potholes in their road has taken revenge on the council by erec2024-05-21A windswept Natalie Portman and John Krasinski film a high
Natalie Portman was pictured being spun around on a high-speed drive alongside John Krasinski in Liv2024-05-21Justice Dept. makes arrests in North Korean identity theft scheme involving thousands of IT workers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday announced the arrests of three people in a comp2024-05-21Rory McIlroy loves life inside the ropes, shoots 66 on first day at PGA
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rory McIlroy blasted yet another drive down the middle, this one finally comi2024-05-21Sale continues dominant run as Braves beat Padres 3
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale allowed only five hits in seven innings to continue his strong run and the2024-05-21Preakness is up next for Brian Hernandez after winning the Derby with a perfect trip on Mystik Dan
BALTIMORE (AP) — Brian Hernandez Jr. spent the leadup to the Kentucky Derby watching replays of winn2024-05-21
atest comment