The flame for the Paris Olympics 2024 was lit on Tuesday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games.
First torch bearer, rowing Olympic gold medalist on 2020, Stephanos Ntouskos receives the flame from Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, as he starts his run with the Olympic torch following the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, on April 16, 2024.
Carrying the flame in a pot, Greek actress Mary Mina lit the torch for the first bearer, 2020 Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos. “These Olympic Games will be younger, more inclusive, more urban, more sustainable. These will be the very first Olympic Games with full gender parity, because the IOC allocated exactly 50 percent of the places to female and male athletes,” he said.
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo were present at the ceremony.The torch harks back to the ancient Olympics when a sacred flame burned throughout the Games. The tradition was revived in 1936 for the Berlin Games. On April 27, the flame will begin its journey to France on board the 19th-century three-masted barque Belem, which was launched just weeks after the Athens 1896 Games.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New tickets for Paris Olympics 2024 to be releasedFans will have a new chance to buy 250 000 new tickets for the Paris Olympics 2024 next week - but they will need to be quick!
Read more »
Cash incentive for Wayde van Niekerk, Akani Simbine at Paris Olympics 2024World Athletics will become the first international federation to award prize money at an Olympics, starting this year in Paris.
Read more »
Paris Olympics 2024 medal production on track despite protestsProduction of the medals for the Paris Olympics 2024 remains on track despite protests and stoppages by staff since last month.
Read more »
Banyana Banyana Defender: 2024 Paris Olympics Last Chance for Senior PlayersLebohang Ramalepe, a defender for Banyana Banyana, believes that the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be the final opportunity for many senior players to participate in the Olympics. South Africa will compete against Nigeria in a two-legged qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games. The first leg will take place in Abuja on Friday, with the winner representing Africa in Paris. Banyana Banyana has arrived in Abuja and is preparing for their crucial match against Nigeria.
Read more »
Egypt: Sports Min. Congratulates Wrestling Federation After 4 Wrestlers Qualified to 2024 Olympic ParisSports and Youth Minister Ashraf Sobhi asserted on Sunday the importance of implementing President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to support Egyptian athletes, referring to great successes achieved by the Egyptian sports system thanks to the political leadership's support.
Read more »
Paris 2024 volunteers' uniform pays tribute to French marinière - SABC NewsThe Paris 2024 volunteers' uniforms pay tribute to the French 'mariniere'
Read more »