Olympic flame lit for London Games 2012

(Greece) – The Olympic flame has been lit in Ancient Olympia in Greece, in a solemn ceremony filled with mystery and tradition that signals the final countdown to the start of this year’s summer Games in London. Dignitaries at the ceremony included the president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, as well as the head of the London organising committee, Sebastian Coe.
“We promise to protect the flame, to cherish its traditions and stage an uplifting torch relay of which we can be proud”, Coe said in a speech, vowing the event would “lift the spirits and hopes of people across Britain and across the world”.
The London Olympic Games torch will tour the United Kingdom and also visit the Republic of Ireland before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in east London on July 27 to a worldwide television audience of billions.