Paris Olympics flame to be lit with elan at Greek cradle of ancient games
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — One way or another, the flame that’s to burn at the Paris Olympics will be kindled Tuesday at the site of the ancient games in southern Greece.
Forecast cloudy skies could frustrate efforts to produce the flame in the customary fashion, when an actress dressed as an ancient Greek priestess uses the sun to ignite a silver torch.
If that doesn’t work, French organizers will get their flame from a backup that was successfully lit at a final rehearsal Monday.
In an elaborately choreographed ceremony first used in 1936, the foremost of a group of priestesses in long, pleated dresses offers a prayer to the ancient Greek sun god, Apollo. She then dips the fuel-filled torch into a parabolic mirror which focuses the sun’s rays on it, and fire spurts forth.
From the ancient stadium in Olympia, a relay of torchbearers will carry the flame more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) through Greece until the handover to Paris Games organizers in Athens on April 26.
Related articles
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
ATLANTA (AP) — Yu Darvish dominated a slumping Braves offense and extended his career-high scoreless2024-05-21Republican Wisconsin Senate candidate says he doesn't oppose elderly people voting
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican candidate in Wisconsin’s closely watched U.S. Senate race emphas2024-05-21Google is combining its Android software and Pixel hardware divisions to more broadly integrate AI
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google will combine the software division responsible for Android mobile softwa2024-05-21Pennsylvania board's cancellation of gay actor's school visit ill
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania school board’s cancellation of an upcoming appearance by ac2024-05-21Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Fast-moving storms with strong winds, large hail and apparent tornadoes swept O2024-05-21For the world's largest democratic exercise, one village's polling officers are all women
CHEDEMA, India (AP) — The line was orderly at Government Middle School as people waited patiently to2024-05-21
atest comment