Tokyo 2020 unveils details of Greek Torch Relay events
The Tokyo Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) unveiled details of the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay and the Olympic flame-lighting and handover ceremonies, both of which will take place in Greece prior to the Olympic flame’s journey to Japan. These events will be organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC).
Flame-lighting ceremony overview
The flame-lighting ceremony will take place in Ancient Olympia, home of the ancient Games in Greece, on 12 March 2020. At the Temple of Hera, a modern High Priestess will ignite the Olympic flame in the traditional way by using the rays of the sun and a parabolic mirror.
Flame-lighting ceremony agenda
Greek Olympic Torch Relay and torchbearers
The Greek leg of the Torch Relay will run for eight days across Greece from 12 to 19 March 2020, with the torchbearers to include Japanese athletes Mizuki Noguchi, Tadahiro Nomura and Saori Yoshida. The Olympic flame will then make its way to the host country of Japan.
Flame handover ceremony overview
Following the Greek leg of the Torch Relay, a ceremony to mark the handover of the flame from the HOC to Tokyo 2020 representatives will be held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on 19 March 2020. The ceremony will be open to the public. After a cultural performance by Greek dancers and entertainers, the host country of Japan will stage its own cultural performance, under the direction of Exile Hiro.
