The Olympic flame started its journey to Tokyo after its lighting at the stadium in the archaeological site at Ancient Olympia, in the presence of President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos and IOC President Thomas Bach, as well as member of Japan’s government.

The flame was lit naturally, using the rays of the sun at Olympia.

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First torch bearer was Greek Olympic champion Anna Korakaki, who delivered the torch to the 2004 Olympic Marathon winner in Athens, Mizuki Noguchi, at the Pierre de Coubertin Monument.

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas and European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel ran as the third and fourth torchbearers respectively. Kalamata will be the first stop of the Olympic Torch relay on Greek soil (eight days duration).

Source: amna