ATHENS, 3 June 2004 — The flame for the 2004 Olympics began its global journey through six continents and 27 countries yesterday, before it returns for the opening ceremony in Athens on Aug. 13.
Escorted by police motorcade, the flame was placed in a special lantern and taken to Athens International Airport to board an Olympic Airways jet, painted in Olympic colors and nicknamed “Zeus”.
The plane was due to depart for Sydney, Australia last night and arrive there at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
Flags from all 27 countries taking part in the round-the-world journey decorated the runways of Athens main airport.
The torch relay will include about 11,000 runners and return to Greece on July 9 for a domestic relay.
The flame will pass by historic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower of Paris and Big Ben in London and include the participation of such celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and Ronaldo.
“Today, the Olympic Flame of Greece sets out on its journey, for the first time to all five continents, for the first time to Africa and to Latin America,” said Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Chief Gianna Angelopoulou at a small ceremony.
“Together with the Olympic Flame, we are sending as of today, to the entire globe, the message of the Athens Games. The flame will open the road for athletes from around the world to come home and light the world with hope,” she said.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said in a statement: “As it leaves Greece for its journey around the five continents symbolized by the Olympic Rings, the Olympic flame is set to remind the world of universal Olympic principles.
“Whether male or female, young or old, able-bodied or disabled, high-level athlete or amateur, whether we live in a wealthy or a developing country, the flame unites us all,” Rogge added.
Athens organizers had to seek exemption from aviation authorities to transport the open flame in flight.
The flame was lit by the suns rays in a special lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia on March 25, the birthplace of the ancient Games. It was then taken to Athens marble stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, before embarking on its 78,000-kilometer journey across six continents and 33 cities.
All past Summer Olympic host cities are on the relay route, including the 2008 host, Beijing. It is the first time in Olympic history that the flame will travel to both Africa and South America.
The international leg of the Olympic torch relay will start where the last one ended almost four years ago in Sydney. Olympic 400m champion Cathy Freeman will lead off from the Sydney Opera House.
