The Olympic flame was lit in a ceremony at the site of the ancient Olympic Games, marking the start of its journey to People's Republic of China where, in just over 100 days, the Games will begin.
The Olympic flame for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 burst into life today (18 October) at an official ceremony in Olympia, Greece.
IOC President Thomas Bach was in attendance to witness the lighting of the flame at the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia - the site of the ancient Olympic Games.
As was the case for the flame lighting ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics in March 2020, the event followed strict coronavirus restrictions in compliance with local health protocols; the audience was limited to representatives of the International Olympic Committee, the Greek and Chinese Olympic Committees, the president of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou and members of the media.
Before the lighting of the Olympic flame took place, Beijing 2022 vice-president Yu Zaiqing took to the podium to promise a "safe and splendid" Olympic Winter Games.
"Under the robust leadership of the Chinese Government, with the support of the people around the world, we can and will deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games to the world," Yu said.
IOC President Bach made it clear that the Olympic Games have always stood above conflict. “In our fragile world, where division, conflict and mistrust are on the rise, the Olympic Games always build bridges. They never erect walls.
“The Olympic Games cannot address all the challenges in our world. But the Olympic Games set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another. They inspire us to solve problems in friendship and solidarity. They build bridges leading to better understanding and friendship among people. This is the timeless message that this Olympic flame will send from our spiritual home here in Ancient Olympia, to Beijing, and to the world.”
Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou played the role of high priestess as she lit a torch from the rays of the sun using a parabolic mirror, with the Olympic flame eventually passing to Greek Alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou, the first torchbearer for the simplified relay.
Traditionally, the Olympic flame would be relayed across Greece by athletes from all over the world, visiting cities and archaeological sites on its journey. In 2021, the relay has been significantly shortened, with only three athletes - Antoniou, Chinese short track speed skater Li Jiajun, and Greek cross-country skier Paraskevi Lapdopoulou - completing a small part of the flame's journey. It will be the first time that the flame has not been carried across Greece since 1984.
After receiving the flame from high priestess Georgiou, Antoniou carried the flame to the monument to Pierre de Coubertin, which holds the heart of the father of the modern Olympics. Antoniou then passed the flame to Li, who carried it to a bridge across the River Kladeos on the outskirts of the village of Olympia. The Flame was then transferred to the Acropolis of Athens, where it will stay overnight in preparation for the handover ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens at 11:50am (local time) on 19 October. At that time, the flame will be passed to the delegation from Beijing 2022.
