ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY EMBARKS ON HISTORIC WORLD JOURNEY
Torchbearers "Pass the Flame, Unite the World"
The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay embarks on an historic international journey that will take the Olympic flame to all continents and 34 cities worldwide. The flame was rekindled from the sun's rays during a in a traditional ceremony in ancient Olympia on 25 March.
For the first time, the Olympic flame will visit every previous host city of the Summer Olympic Games, including Beijing, host of the Olympic Games in 2008. The Olympic flame also makes inaugural visits to Africa (Cape Town) and South America (Rio de Janeiro) and will visit other select cities along the route.
"We are honored and proud to share the powerful influence of the Olympic flame with the world," said ATHENS 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. "It is heartening to see diverse people and communities all over the world unite to embrace the Olympic ideals."
"Pass the flame, Unite the world" is the theme of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. The international travel begins 4 June in Sydney, host of the 2000 Olympic Games. On 9 July, the Torch Relay returns to Greece and will travel throughout the country for 36 days, building momentum for the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 ATHENS Olympic Games on 13 August. The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay is presented by Coca-Cola and Samsung.
Every city on the route has played a significant role in selecting torchbearers who will carry the Olympic flame. More than 11,000 inspirational torchbearers throughout the world and Greece will participate in the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. Each torchbearer passes the flame torch-to-torch.
Torchbearers, regardless of the selection process, reflect the best in humanity and represent their families, friends, colleagues, cities and countries. ATHENS 2004 general criteria for torchbearers are people who unite their communities through sport, education or culture; those who inspire others through participation, celebration, human scale, and heritage.
Cities have helped design the directional route that averages 48 kilometres in each city and have created community celebrations that encourage public participation to honor and witness the sacred flame.
The Olympic flame will travel to international cities, including: Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Delhi, Cairo, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Los Angeles, St. Louis (Missouri), Atlanta (Georgia), New York, Montreal, Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Geneva, Lausanne (Switzerland), Paris, London, Barcelona, Rome, Munich, Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, Moscow, Kiev (Ukraine), Istanbul, Sofia (Bulgaria), and Nicosia (Cyprus).
ABOUT
THE TORCH
The design of the torch is drawn from the olive leaf's lines and its harmonious shape. The olive tree, one of the most powerful symbols of Greece, has been a sacred tree for Mediterranean nations for thousands of years, as well as the ancient symbol of the Athenian City-State. It is an indelible mark in Greece's mythology and art. The olive branch is recognized as a global symbol of peace and freedom.
Weighing 700 gr. and standing at 68 cm, the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch is designed to enhance the flame. Its fluid shape, dominated by curves, establishes the torch as the continuation of the flame itself in its free movement. The flame rises from the torch as the extension of the torchbearer's hand. Crafted by Greek designer Andreas Varotsos using the philosophy of "Pan Metron Ariston" (all things in moderation), the ATHENS 2004 torch combines aluminum and olive wood, with an emphasis on their natural colours. The result: a solid structure of beautiful simplicity.
Related:
Presentation of the 2004 Olympic Games Torch
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