The essential
The Olympic flame for the Paris Olympics is lit this Tuesday, around 11 a.m. (noon local time), in Greece on the site of the ancient city of Olympia.
The Olympic flame will then be transmitted to the Greek, Stefanos Ntouskos, Olympic rowing champion. Former French swimmer Laure Manaudou will be the second torchbearer.
The sacred fire will then cross Greece for eleven days before boarding the sailboat Belem and arriving in France on May 8 in Marseille.
09:49
An eleven-day journey through Greece
The Olympic flame then leaves for an eleven-day, 5,000-kilometer journey to Greece. A trip where she will pass through the Acropolis before boarding the sailboat Belem to cross the Mediterranean.
09:42
Frenchwoman Laure Manaudou will be the second torchbearer
The former swimmer, Olympic champion in Athens in 2004, will be the second torchbearer of the Olympic flame. She will go after Greek rowing gold medalist Stefanos Ntouskos.
09:40
The traditional ceremony takes place on the ancient site of the city of Olympia.
As tradition dictates, the Olympic flame will be lit in the heart of the ruins of the ancient city of Olympia. The high priestess will use the rays of the sun to bring forth the sacred fire.
09:40
The Olympic flame is lit today.
Good morning. And welcome to the lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame for the Paris Olympics!