Volos opened its arms and welcomed the Olympic Flame on Saturday evening, April 20, 2024, with 10,000 people in the streets and on the beach to see the symbol of Olympism up close.

The altar was lit by gold medalist Vassilis Polymeros, while the torchbearers were national polo team coach Thodoris Vlachos, Olympic rowing champion Nikos Skiathitis, former artistic swimming champion Eleftheria Ftouli and rowing’s athletes Triantafyllia Kalaboka and Sofia Dalidou.

On the initiative of the French Embassy and the French Institute, there was also a demonstration of breakdancing, which will be an Olympic sport from the 2024 Olympic Games.

The flame passed through Lamia before Volos, where Olympian Niki Bakoyannis lit the altar in Athanasiou Diakou Square.

The images from Delphi were also magical, where the Sacred Light sent out eternal messages of peace from the navel of the earth, the center of the world, as the ancient Greeks believed.

In the morning, the torch relay started from the Acropolis, with the President of the IOA, Isidoros Kouvelos, being among the torchbearers. In a special ceremony, the torch was lit at the altar of the Ministry of Defense by Olympic waterpolo champion Dino Gennidounias.

For the first time in history, the Olympic flame passes through the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

The reception was attended by President Spyros Capralos and all the members of the plenary and the staff of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Afterwards, Olympian Nikolas Kaklamanakis lit the altar in front of the Olympic Museum of Athens.

The torch relay continued in Nea Philadelphia in front of the Museum of Asia Minor Hellenism before heading uphill towards northern Greece.

On Sunday, April 21, the torch relay will continue in Larissa, Trikala, Kalambaka, Meteora, Toumpa, the Olympic Museum and with an overnight stay in Athens.