Dark clouds over Olympia troubled Olympic flame lighting rehearsal parted at last Monday with a flawless torch lighting ceremony heralding the unprecedented torch relay.
The High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou lit the flame out of a concave, burnished steel mirror. Then the flame was transported in a replica of an ancient urn to the ancient Olympia stadium where it was to kindle the first Olympic torch.
Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou (R), playing the role of a high priestess, kindles a pot with the Olympic flame during the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony in Olympia, Greece, March 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou handed over the torch to the first torchbearer, 2004 Olympic silver medallist in taekwondo (80kg) Alexandros Nikolaidis, who carried it to kick off the relay in Greece, across five continents and China.
Prior to the lighting, Nafpliotou and 20 female priestesses -- all wearing pleated white dresses and sandals -- performed an ancient ritual. Following a short dancing ceremony on the slope of ancient Olympia stadium, the High Priestess ignited the first Beijing Olympic torch.
The Olympic Anthem, the National Anthem of China, the National Anthem of Greece were played and the Olympic Flag, the Chinese Flag and the Greek Flag were hoisted before the lighting ceremony.
The speeches were given by the mayor of Ancient Olympia Georgios Aidonis, President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Minos Kyriakou as well as the President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games Liu Qi.
【体坛英语资讯:Beijing Olympic flame lit in ancient Olympia】相关文章:
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Kylie Minogue: Will I EVER get to walk down the aisle?
★ 体坛英语资讯:China surprises world in rowing
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Nelson Mandela bans Naomi
★ 体坛英语资讯:China to make cricket global - Asian boss
★ 体坛英语资讯:England fails to qualify for Euro 2008
★ 体坛英语资讯:Cavs top Wizards, Jazz beat Rockets
★ 体坛英语资讯:Beijing Olympic flame reaches India
★ 体坛英语资讯:Tanzania dances for joy at torchs sub-Sahara debut
★ 体坛英语资讯:Adriano may sit out Sundays game
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Tom and Katie plan steamy photo shoot
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15