Olympic torch relay will start in Greece prior to Japan 2020

·

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).

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.

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.

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.

A torchbearer will enter the Panathenaic Stadium to light a celebration cauldron, and the Olympic flame will subsequently make its way to Japan.

Sourced via olympic.org

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Echoes from the past: Owl skyphos from Athens

The owl is one of the most famous symbols of ancient Greece. Particularly associated with the goddess Athena.

Love, language and belonging: A Valentine’s Day story about choosing to be Greek

I must have been five, maybe six, watching my neighbour flip lamb on the barbecue while Greek music drifted from inside.

More than roses: How Greek Australian couples celebrate Valentine’s Day their way

The Greek Herald spoke with Greek Australian couples to hear their love stories and learn how their bonds have strengthened over time.

Bank of Sydney shares banking tips to help households and businesses in 2026

The latest inflation data confirms that price pressures are proving more stubborn than policymakers had anticipated.

Discover Athens food culture in a new cookbook‑memoir‑guide

This book is a collection of 150 recipes, but it is also much more than that. Kochilas calls it “part memoir, part reporting, and part guide” (9).

You May Also Like

New digital barriers aim to deter migrants from entering EU illegally

The automated surveillance network being built on the Greek-Turkish border is aimed to detect migrants early and deterring them from crossing.

Greek, Cypriot and Pontian communities call on Australian PM to recognise genocide

The Greek, Cypriot and Pontian communities have called on Australian PM, Scott Morrison, to recognise genocide.

Yorgos Lanthimos stuns the world with new short film shot in Tinos

A new short film by Academy Award nominated Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, gives a chilling depiction of the island of Tinos.