Olympic flame lighting rehearsal held in ancient Olympia

The dress rehearsal for the lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame was held on Monday in ancient Olympia, western Greece, the birthplace of the Games.

During a traditional ceremony, Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of an ancient high priestess, used the sun's rays and a concave mirror to light the torch in front of the ruins of the 2,500-year-old temple dedicated to Hera, a goddess in ancient Greek mythology.

Accompanied by dozens of female and male dancers playing the roles of priestesses, goddesses and male youths, she prayed to the Gods to bring peace to the world and help Paris host a successful Games.

"Apollo, God of sun and the idea of the light, send your rays and light the sacred torch for the hospitable city of Paris, and you Zeus, give peace to all peoples on earth and wreath the winners of the sacred race," she said.

Following a dance performance inspired by ancient Greek mythology, the high priestess handed over the torch and an olive branch to the first torchbearer.

Greek athlete Stefanos Ntouskos, gold medalist in rowing at the 2020 Tokyo Games, who was chosen as the first torchbearer, started the rehearsal relay on Monday, after a dancer released a pigeon to spread the Olympic ideals of friendship and peace to the world.

The official lighting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, beginning a torch relay across Greece before the flame is passed to the French delegation in a handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on April 26.

The 50-member team of performers includes actors, dancers, musicians and support staff, who have worked for several months preparing for the ceremonies in Greece. They will be in Paris for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. The Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11.