ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Paris Oympics flame was formally handed to French organizers on Friday in the all-marble stadium where the first modern Games were held in Athens in 1896. Greek water polo player Ioannis Fountoulis, the last in a long line of torchbearers, used the flame to light a cauldron at the Panathenaic Stadium. From there, it was delivered to Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet. A few moments of suspense followed as assistants struggled to light the lantern that will carry the flame to France. “It wants to stay in Greece,” Estanguet joked. Safely in the lantern, the flame will depart for France on Saturday on a 19th century sailing ship across the Mediterranean Sea, to make landfall 12 days later in the southern port city of Marseille. The flame was kindled on April 16 at Olympia in southern Greece, where the ancient games were held for more than 1,000 years from about 776 B.C. to A.D. 393. |
More U.S., China financial cooperation expected by industry insidersDomestic tourism industry set for 'full recovery' by summerHong Kong holds digital economy summit, eyes sustainable futureXi Focus: Xi Stresses Enhancing Guarantee Ability of Land Element for HighXi says ChinaChina donates medical equipment to local hospital in TanzaniaMore efforts called on to energize consumptionXi Stresses HighEffective diplomacy in black and whiteScholars of South Sudan, China pledge collaboration for mutual development