The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic flame lighting ceremony in Olympia will feature a fresh look and feel, with a new High Priestess, redesigned costumes, and updated music.
The ceremony, held on April 16th at the birthplace of the Games, will see actress Mary Mina take on the role of High Priestess for the first time. Using a parabolic mirror, she will ignite the torch with the sun's rays, following a long-standing tradition.
"I'm incredibly honoured," Mina said during the ceremony's presentation on Tuesday. "This is a huge responsibility, and I hope to live up to the trust placed in me."
A departure from past ceremonies, Mina and her priestesses will be clad in two-toned black and white costumes, replacing the usual monochromatic white or light blue attire.
Following the lighting, Mina will pass the flame to Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Douskos, the first torchbearer. Douskos will begin the 11-day Greek leg of the torch relay, culminating in a handover to Paris Games organisers in Athens on April 26th. After a night at the French Embassy, the flame will set sail for France aboard the historic three-masted ship, the 'Belem'.
The 'Belem' will arrive in Marseille on May 8th, where a grand ceremony in the Old Port is expected to draw up to 150,000 attendees. Marseille, founded by Greek settlers, will host the sailing competitions at the 2024 Games.
The French leg of the torch relay will then unfold over 68 days, concluding with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony on July 26th.
(Source: Daily Mail UK)
