Passing the torch to London 2012
The lighting of the Olympic torch ceremony took place in Greece on Thursday, May 10, 2012, sparking the flame's journey to the London 2012 Summer Games.
The picturesque site for the lighting of the Olympic flame ceremony in ancient Olympia, Greece on Thursday, May 10, 2012.Kevin Coombs
Sebastian Coe (L-R), chairman of the London 2012 Olympics organizing committee, Hellenic Olympic committee President Spyros Capralos and Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, attend the Olympic torch lighting ceremony on May 10, 2012.MAL Langsdon
An actress playing the role of High Priestess, lights a torch from the sun's rays reflected in a parabolic mirror during the torch lighting ceremony at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece May 10, 2012.
Having lit the torch from the Olympic flame, the high priestess raises it in front of the Hera temple alongside another priestess carrying a ceremonial lit pot.
Greek actress Ino Menegaki, playing the role of high priestess, holds a torch with the Olympic flame. Having been lit in the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, the flame will travel to London, where the Summer Games will take place from July 27-Aug. 12.
The ceremonial high priestess passes the flame to Spyridon Gianniotis, Greece's world champion of swimming, sparking the flame's journey to the London 2012 Olympic Games.MAL Langsdon
Greek actress Ino Menegaki, playing the role of high priestess, hands Spyridon Gianniotis (R), Greece's world champion of swimming, an olive branch during the torch lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia.MAL Langsdon
Spyridon Gianniotis (L), Greece's world champion of swimming, lights the torch held by Alexander Loukos (R), British boxer of Greek descent.
Alexander Loukos (L), British boxer of Greek descent, prepares to light the torch of Spyros Philipas (R), president and chief executive of BMW Hellas, during the Olympic torch relay. The flame will travel to London, where the Summer Games will take place from July 27-Aug. 12.