The Olympic flame will be lit on April 16, 2024 in the Holy Land of Ancient Olympia to begin its journey to the French capital for the “Paris 2024” Olympic Games.

The lighting ceremony will begin at 11.30 a.m. in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and admission is open to the public.

The Olympic flame will be carried by the priestess Mary Mina in a choreography inspired and directed by the choreographer Artemis Ignatiou to music composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou and performed by 35 priestesses and 15 kouroi. The costumes for the performers were created by the internationally renowned designer Mary Katrantzou.

The Olympic anthem will be sung by the successful mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and the master of ceremonies will be the renowned journalist Nikos Aliagas.

The Olympic flame will be handed over to gold medalist Stefanos Douskos by priestess Mary Mina to begin the torch relay on Greek soil, which will last for 11 days until April 26.

 The lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame, organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, will be attended by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach, the President of the Olympic Games Organization and the President of the European Parliament. The President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach, the President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee,” Tony Estanguet, the French Minister of Sport, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greek origin, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, will be welcomed by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the President of the European Olympic Committees and IOC member Spyros Capralos.

The President of the Olympic Torch Relay Committee, Thanasis Vasiliadis, is responsible for the Olympic Flame Ceremony and the Chief Director of Ceremonies is Yiannis Papadimitriou.