Flame for Tokyo Olympics lit at birthplace of the ancient games in a ceremony pared down over coronavirus concerns
Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, playing the role of the high priestess, lights up the torch during the flame lighting ceremony at the closed ancient Olympia site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, March 12, 2020.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach noted the “difficult circumstances” created by the virus outbreak, but stressed the IOC's commitment to the success of the Tokyo Games. Addressing an unusually small crowd of officials in Ancient Olympia because of virus control measures, Bach extolled Tokyo organisers' “excellent" preparations for the 2020 Games, as well as their “incredible efficiency, effectiveness and enthusiasm.”
The ceremonial part of Thursday's flame-lighting was held with customary mock-archaic splendour: Young men and women dressed in pleated robes, a prayer to Apollo — the ancient Greek god of light — and dancing to flutes and drums under a splendid blue sky as blackbirds sang.
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