Olympic Flame in British Hands

(ATR) The Olympic Flame is now en route to Great Britain, following a ceremony at the1896 Olympic Stadium in Athens.

The ceremony was threatened by a steady downpour of rain that ended just as the formalities began.

About 10,000 were on hand for the ceremony, including Greek President Karlos Papoulias, who has been in the spotlight this week as he tried to settle the political instability facing the nation.

Inhis speech, London 2012 chair SebastianCoe spoke of the "very special way" Greece and Britain were linked during the eight-day relay in Greece that began May 10 after the flame lighting in Olympia.

"Today’s handover is an occasion of international significance and importance," he said.

"Like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Flame belongs to the world, and the arrival of the Flame in the host nation is a clarion call to the athletes and young people in more than 200 nations and territories preparing to gather for the London 2012 Games", said Coe.

London, Coe noted, is reminded of its "responsibility" as a host city through the Flame, namely "using the power of sport to unite the world in a celebration of achievement and inspiration in challenging times. A Games that will inspire the next generation to choose sport."

Chinese gymnast great Li Ning, final torchbearer for the Beijing Olympicsand four-time Greek weightlifting medalist Pyros Dimas were the last two torchbearers in Athens.

Coe,Princess Anne, Mayor Boris Johnson, sports minister Hugh Robertson and football superstar David Beckhamcarried the flame in aminer's lampout of the Panathenaic stadium.

The flame will be borne to the U.K. Friday aboard a chartered British Airways jet named "Firefly".

The plane will land on the western tip of the U.K. where the relay will begin May 19 in Land's End. The relay will include 8,000 runners leading up to opening ceremony July 27.

Written by Ed Hula III,with reporting in Athens by Ed Hula and Mark Bisson.

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