Carrying A Torch: Olympic Flame Lit For Vancouver 2010 Games

October 22, 2009 7:50 p.m. EST

Olympia, Greece (AHN) - The ceremonial lighting of the Olympic torch took place Thursday in ancient Olympia with Greek skier Vassilis Dimitriadis, serving as the first torchbearer, running out of the stadium to start the Greek leg of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

Playing the role of High Priestess was Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou, who lit the flame in the Temple of Hera at exactly 12.39 p.m. local time.

It kicked off the start of the longest national torch relay in Olympic history, which is expected to go through Greece over the next eight days.

The flame will then be flown to Victoria, British Columbia on Oct. 29 for the start of a 106-day, 45,000 kilometer run across Canada.

Amid tight security, the lighting was witnessed by several thousand in the stadium, including tourists who happened to be in Olympia on excursions.

The police were trying to prevent a repeat of last year's lighting ceremony for the Beijing Games which was marred by protest.

The torch relay will culminate in 113 days when it lights the Olympic Cauldron to officially begin the 2010 Winter Games on Feb. 12.