Maria Moscholiou, the legendary High Priestess of the Olympic Flame ceremony at Ancient Olympia, has died in Athens, local media reported on Wednesday.
Moscholiou born in Athens and studied the art of drama at the National Theatre, where she performed for many years.
She supervised the dramatic Olympic Lighting Ceremonies four times in total — in 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980.
She was presented with the City of Athens Medal in recognition of her extensive contribution to the dissemination of the Olympic Ideal.
“Creating the Olympic Light is an unbelievable feeling. Watching what happens next in the countries where the Olympic Flame is travelling is unbelievable,” Moscholiou said in a rare interview.
