(ATR) The flame for the London Olympics is lit in a practice ceremony 24 hours ahead of the real thing May 10 in ancient Olympia.
The rehearsal at the Temple of Hera on the grounds of the Olympia archeological site is tradition. Not only to practice the choreography of the two dozen plus performers, but the rehearsal is also needed to make sure a flame is kindled by the rays of the sun -- in case weather prevents the real thing.
It took only seconds for the flame to come to life on a torch that was dipped inside a parabolic mirror sitting in the hot midday sun, guaranteeing the back-up flame for London.
Thunderstorms are a possibility for the Thursday ceremony – but they should hold off until the afternoon when the event is over.
The rehearsal of the flame lighting was held before an audience of a couple of thousand visitors to Olympia; the ceremony Thursday will be witnessed by a handful of dignitaries including IOC President Jacques Rogge, London 2012 chair Sebastian Coe and Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos.
Once lit, the flame is carried to the ancient stadium in an urn by a procession of actors and actresses, all in classical garb, led by Ino Menegaki as high priestess.
The practice session ended when Menegaki used a torch to light the London Olympic torch held by Spyros Gianniotis, open water swim champion who will compete in his fourth Olympics in London. He’ll be the first of 490 torchbearers to carry the flame across Greece for the next week. On May 17, the flame will be handed over to Coe for its transfer to England for the start of the London Olympic Torch Relay across the U.K.
Coe and Rogge arrive in Olympia late Wednesday. A dinner and concert is planned tonight for the Olympic guests of honor.
It is not known yet who will represent the government of Greece, now in massive state of flux after indeterminate elections last weekend.
Along with some new choreography and music, the hillsides overlooking ancient Olympia are a changed from the ceremony held in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics. Four years ago the scars of ravaging brush fires in 2007 before were clearly visible.
As many as 10,000 spectators may sit on the grassy slopes surrounding the stadium, venue footraces 3,000 years ago.
Written and reported in London by Ed Hula.
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