In 2004 the Olympic Games return to the place where they were born, where they were revived and where they will be renewed. The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games are more than an opportunity to participate in the greatest celebration of humanity. They are an opportunity to be part of a story that is as old as history itself. And when it comes to making history, there is really no place like home.

The sun beamed generously on ancient Olympia on Thursday, sending down ample rays to light the Olympic flame in the traditional ceremony that marks the start of the Olympic Torch relay and begins the countdown to the Olympic Games in August.
The flame was lit at noon on the March 25 Greek national holiday, in an imposing display attended by Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge, Greek Olympic Committee president Lambis Nikolaou, the chairwoman of the Athens Olympics organizers ATHOC Gianna Angelopoulos and hosts of other dignitaries, as well as 30,000 spectators from among the ordinary public.
As the white-clad 'priestesses' performed the ritual choreographed by Maria Hors with perfect timing, the torch tendered by high priestess Thalia Prokopiou to the curved mirror used to trap the sun's rays blazed forth bravely, in an omen of hope for the delay-dogged Athens Games.
The flame was then carried to the first torch-bearer, Greek champion javelin-thrower Kostas Gatsioudis, who carried it and passed it on to the next runner in line, Russian Olympic medalist Alexander Popov.
The ceremony marked the start of the first phase of the Olympic Torch Relay, a seven-day run organized by the Greek Olympic Committee that ends on March 31. In this time, the Olympic Torch will travel through the Peloponnesos and other areas in Greece before arriving at the Panathenian Stadium in Athens, where it will remain until June 3 and the start of its global journey throughout the world.
The international Olympic Torch Relay is the first one that is truly global, visiting 34 cities on all five continents - including Africa and South America for the first time in history. The Olympic Flame will return to Greece on July 9 to continue its journey through the country and arrive back at the Panathenian Stadium on August 13 for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The ritual on Thursday began with the raising of the Olympic and Greek flags and the recital of the poem 'The Light of Olympia'' by Takis Doxas.