Olympic Torch Lit In Greece

[allezfred]

Torch for London Games Lit In Greece

The London 2012 Olympics torch relay will inspire a generation and lift the spirits of people in Britain and the world, Games chief Sebastian Coe said today at the lighting of the torch and the start of the London relay.

The torch for the London Games will set off on a seven-day journey across Greece before it leaves for Britain on May 18th.

[Garden Kitty]

A few other pics from the ceremony. Yay! It's starting!!

[skatefan]

wheeeeee The flame's on its way

[os168]

Yet... how embarrassing!!! The flame went out at the Open Ceremony.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023411

Wonder what the Greek Gods make of this.

[walei]

Yet... how embarrassing!!! The flame went out at the Open Ceremony.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023411

Wonder what the Greek Gods make of this.

Well these things do happen and has happened in the past editions of the Game's torch relays. Not sure if it's the first time during the lighting ceremony though. Hope it's an isolated problem with wind and not due to the design of the torch.

Inspire a Generation is the motto for London 2012, and I like it

[AragornElessar]

From the footage shown on CTV, it looked like it was the wind and it was the Flame in that bowl looking container that's used during the Ceremony, not the Torch itself. I think the Priestess uses a standard torch to light it, then the flame is transferred to that bowl looking container and then the official Torch for the respective Games, in this case London, is lit from it.

At least I *think* that's how it's done, but don't quote me on that either.

Seeing this today has me excited, as now it feels real and we really are only two months away. So looking forward to these Games and can't wait!!!

[Domshabfan]

So, no need of protesters to put the flame out this time around.

[walei]

So, no need of protesters to put the flame out this time around.

Well after the Beijing fiasco IOC has banned world wide torch relays. Since Vancouver 2010 the flame goes from Greece directly to the host country.

[allezfred]

Well after the Beijing fiasco IOC has banned world wide torch relays. Since Vancouver 2010 the flame goes from Greece directly to the host country.

Yes, this time the only country the torch is coming to outside of Greece and the UK is Ireland.

[skatefan]

The Olympic Torch is going to some awesome places including Glastonbury Tor, Stonehenge at dawn, up Mt Snowdon, to the top of the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank, the Giant's Causeway and as far north as the Shetland Isles and to the Outer Hebrides http://travel.uk.msn.com/short-break...-visit#image=2

and it's just landed

[allezfred]

[Garden Kitty]

Facebook page with lots of photos from the Torch Relay

[SHARPIE]

So excited for the torch to be run through my city on Friday I may do a little love wee

[floskate]

It's coming to mine at 7.40am on a work day - errr sod that, will catch it on Wales tonight

[A.H.Black]

It's coming to mine at 7.40am on a work day - errr sod that, will catch it on Wales tonight

I hope that means you are skipping work to see the torch. Don't miss it. It seems like a little thing but I will always remember the times I was able to see the torch run in my city. Once for Los Angeles. Once for Atlanta. Several times for Salt Lake. If you haven't seen it, or even if you have, it is well worth the effort.

[skipaway]

Whoops, Olympic Flame extinguished

[SHARPIE]

Off to see it in my home town! Wheeeee!

[allezfred]

Have fun!

[SHARPIE]

LOVED IT! Amazing atmosphere and I guess it helped the weather is beautiful too!

[skatefan]

Hope you got photos!

Three weeks until it reaches me, can't wait. From the route map it'll actually be in transit along my road (some kind of convoy?) then the runners start just half a mile away heading for the city centre