Olympic flame for Beijing Games lit in ancient Olympia

Source: Xinhua | 03-24-2008 17:56

Greece's actress Maria Nafpliotou,the head priestess, lit the torch in the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Beijing Games at the site of ancient Olympia on Monday.

The head priestess, Greece's actress Maria  Nafpliotou, raises the torch of Olympic flame  during the flame lighting ceremony for the  Beijing 2008 Olympic Games held in Olympia,  Greece, March 24, 2008.(Xinhua/Retuers Photo)

The lighting heralded the start of a five-month torch relay that will end at the Games' opening ceremony on August 8.Greek taekwondo athlete Alexandros Nikolaidis, silver medallist in the 2004 Olympics, will be the first torchbearer of a six-day Greek relay.

The second bearer will be Chinese Luo Xuejuan, women's 100mbreaststroke gold medallist in the Athens Games.

The ceremony started an hour early - starting at 0900GMT - to avoid rain forecast for later Monday.

Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou (R), playing the role of a  high priestess, kindles a pot with the Olympic flame during  the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony in Olympia, Greece, March  24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

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Editor:Zhang Ning