Olympic Torch Lit to Start Relay to Rio de Janeiro

Olympic torch lighting

April 21, 2016

The Olympic flame for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was lit Thursday in Ancient Olympia, Greece.

The lighting ceremony organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee marked the symbolic start of the Olympic torch relay which will see the flame travel for six days around Greece before being officially presented to the organizers of the Olympic Games in Rio on April 27 at Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Games in 1896.

The Olympic Games will be held Aug. 5-21. About 10,500 athletes from more than 200 countries will compete in 28 sports, including the equestrian events of dressage, eventing and jumping.