On the Scene: Three-time Greek Olympian First 2010 Torchbearer

(ATR) IOC president Jacques Rogge will witness a three-time Greek Olympic skier be the first person to carry the Olympic flame on the journey to Vancouver.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee chose Vassilis Dimitriadis to be the first torchbearer after the Thursday lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece, site of the original Games in 776 B.C.

Belgium-born, Greece-raised Dimitriadis, 31, competed in giant slalom in Nagano 1998, Salt Lake 2002 and Torino 2006. He was the first torchbearer for Nagano's relay and carried the Greek flag at the Nagano Games.

Dimitriadis will receive the flame in the ruins of the original Olympic stadium, a first for a Winter Games torch relay. Greek torchbearers will wear the same Hudson's Bay Company tracksuit and carry the same Bombardier torch that will be employed during the 28,000 mile relay in Canada.

The flame will travel through 22 districts and 42 municipalities over eight days, stopping for 36 lighting ceremonies before the Oct. 29 handover at the Panathenian Stadium in Athens.

Niki Georgiadou, a student from Toronto, will pass the torch to Canada's Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean before the flame is taken in a safe container on a Department of National Defence flight to Victoria for the Oct. 30 beginning of the cross-Canada relay.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, federal minister of state for sport Gary Lunn and VANOC CEO John Furlong will join Rogge and HOC officials in Olympia. Rogge did not attend the Torino 2006 lighting ceremony.

With reporting from Bob Mackin .

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