The Olympic flame began its magical journey to Paris after a mysterious ceremony on Tuesday 16 April in ancient Olympia in the presence of the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
The clouds prevented the holy light from being born from the mirror, and the Olympic fire from the official test was used. Then Mother Superior Mary Minepassed the torch to the first torchbearer, the Olympian Wreath Dusk and sends her messages of peaceof friendship and solidarity throughout the world.
Magical moments were offered by the 35 priestesses and 15 Kouros with costumes by the internationally renowned designer Mary Katrantzouwho participated in the ritual entitled “Rustle of Sacred Silence” inspired by the choreographer Artemis Ignatius with music by the renowned composer Dimitris Papadimitriou.
The Olympic anthem was performed by the famous American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato while the Olympic circles were formed by students from the schools of the ancient municipality of Olympia, in front of more than 10,000 spectators who flooded the ancient stadium.
The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the President of the European Olympic Committees and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Spyros Kapralos sent a cease-fire message in his speech:
“In a mysterious ceremony of symbolism and universal messages, the long-awaited journey of Olympic values around the world will be launched. A journey in which everyone can participate. Wherever they are, where they come from and what they stand for. First and above all with heart and mind.
Because the Olympic Games are the only institution in human history that has remained unchanged for centuries and succeeds in uniting, empowering and transforming people, people, consciousnesses. And to change the world. And I will repeat it. He was born here. IN GREECE. After all, the word athlete is also Greek, from the word ATHLOS, which means battle, and today it has been incorporated into all the languages of the world.
The Olympic flame will therefore begin its journey to Paris, for the first Olympic Games in Europe after a full 12 years, and 20 years after the Olympic Games in Athens, conveying the vision of peace and respect and inviting all nations to complete the Olympic Games. Truce. And this very message must be spread throughout the world, which today struggles with riots, wars and rivalry.
It is moments like this when we all need to pause to reflect and measure what is valuable. Let’s fix, change and start again.”
The chairman of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bah among other things, he said: “On this holy land, where we are today, this great gift to humanity was born about 3,000 years ago: the Olympic Games.
To this day, we Greeks are grateful for this gift. Today’s presence here of Her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, is a reminder of the direct link between this ancient heritage and modern Greece. Therefore, I would like to thank you for honoring us with your presence to celebrate this unique moment with you.
My thanks and gratitude also go to our hosts, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, under the leadership of President Spyros Kapralos and the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Aristides Panagiotopouloswhich plays such a significant role in preserving this noble heritage.
Since ancient times, there has been an inseparable connection between the Olympic Games and peace. The Olympic Truce was the basis for the peaceful conduct of the Olympic Games in ancient times. This idea of promoting peace and hope through sport was adopted by Pierre de Coubertin when he revived the modern Olympic Games almost 130 years ago. Always a visionary, he said: “The Olympic Games are a pilgrimage to the past and an act of faith in the future.”
Greetings were also spoken by the Mayor of Ancient Olympia Aristides Panagiotopoulos and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games “Paris 2024” Tony Estanguet. The ceremony was attended by Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis RopeCulture Minister Lina Mendonithe Minister of Tourism Olga KefalogiannisDeputy Sports Minister Giannis Brut iceGG Sport Giorgos You are blackthe regional governor of western Greece Nektarios Pharmacistthe president of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Garbage canthe chairman of the “Athens 2004” Organizing Committee Gianna Angelopoulou the sports minister Amélie; Oudéa-Castéra Mayor Anne of Paris Hidalgo and many members of the EOE plenary.
Stefanos Duskos said about the honor of being the first torch bearer: “I felt incredible, unique emotions that I did not expect to feel, so many people clapping for you and you carrying Olympism around the world. I never had expected to come here today, to be an Olympian and to carry the Olympic flame.” He presented the Flame to the French Olympian Laure in 2004 Manaudouwhile the third torchbearer was Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Rope.
The moving ceremony was organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee led by the Chairman of the Olympic Torch Relay Committee Thanasis Vasiliadis and Master of Ceremonies member of the EOE Marketing Committee Giannis Papadimitriou.
