The upcoming flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics in ancient Olympia will see a modern twist, with revamped elements including a new high priestess, redesigned costumes, and fresh music, as Greece aims to rejuvenate the traditional event.
Scheduled for April 16, the flame will be ignited in ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Games. Actress Mary Mina will portray the high priestess, marking the first time a new high priestess will take on the role. Using a parabolic mirror and the sun’s rays, Mina will ceremoniously light the torch, expressing her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her and embracing the responsibility entrusted to her.
Breaking away from tradition, Mina and her priestesses will don two-toned costumes, blending black and white hues, departing from the usual monochromatic white or light blue attire of previous ceremonies.
Following the traditional lighting ritual, Mina will pass the flame to Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Douskos, initiating an 11-day Greek relay from the ancient Olympic stadium.
On April 26, the flame will transition to the Paris Games organizers in Athens, with a symbolic handover ceremony at the French Embassy in the Greek capital. Departing for France aboard the historic three-masted ship, the ‘Belem’, the flame will arrive in Marseille on May 8, where a grand ceremony is anticipated at the city’s Old Port, welcoming up to 150,000 attendees.
Marseille, with its rich Greek heritage dating back to 600 BC when it was founded by Greek settlers of Phocaea, will host the sailing competitions during the Games.
The French leg of the torch relay, spanning 68 days, will culminate in the lighting of the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 26, marking the commencement of the highly anticipated global event.
