There were significantly more spectators in the sunlit stands than is usual for such a ceremony, according to the media. The Greek pedestrian Antigoni Drisbiotiová ran to the stadium with a torch, from whom the French multiple world champion in figure skating Gabriela Papadakisová, who has Greek descent from her father, took over. Former French Paralympic swimmer Béatrice Hessová, who collected 20 gold medals between 1984 and 2004, also carried the torch for about a minute. The flame in the cup in the center of the stadium was finally lit by the Greek national water polo team.
The program at the stadium continued with the interpretation of the national anthems of both countries, a performance evoking ancient games and the disciplines of the time or speeches by the organizers.
The fire for the Olympic Games in Paris was lit in Olympia, Greece on April 16 in a traditional ceremony, the torch then traveled throughout Greece for 11 days. After today’s ceremony, he will set out on board a three-masted sailing ship from Athens on a Mediterranean cruise to Marseille, where he is expected to arrive on May 8. The torch relay will then cross the French territory for 80 days and will cover approximately 12,000 kilometers on the way to Paris.
The sports holiday under the five rings will take place in the French capital from July 26 to August 11. After that, the Paralympic Games will follow two weeks apart, ending on September 8.
