The Athens 2014 Special Olympics torch is being kindled by the sun rays hitting on a concave mirror at the Alexandroupolis Ancient Zone at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday. The role of the ancient high priestess during this ceremony is performed by gymnast Ileana Symeonidou, a Special Olympics athlete herself. The Special Olympics President in Greece, Yianna Despotopoulou and Europe-Eurasia Special Olympics Mary Davis and government representatives.

Symeonidou will be accompanied by a chorus of priestesses that will perform dances choreographed by the event’s artistic director, Fokas Evangelinos. Music accompaniment is byflutist Tatiana Koutsoumba.

The national anthems of Greece, Belgium and Special Olympics will be performed by the Band of the XII Army Division of the Infantry. Presenter Alexis Kostalas will be the Master of Ceremonies at this event.

A Torch Run follows the ceremony by the “Guardians of the Flame of Hope”, who are none others than members from the Alexandroupolis Police Departments and Special Olympics Hellas’ athletes. The torch run around Greece will run through to September 8 with the flame passing through Komotini, Kavala, Thassos, Thessaloniki and Athens. “The Flame of Hope” will then be taken to Brussels on September 9, accompanied by 74 Greek delegates that will participate in 9 sports in the Summer Olympics European Summer Games in Antwerp.

Photos from the rehearsals: