Tokyo 2020 torch lit behind closed doors in ancient olympia

What a unique and historic moment!

On March 12, 2020, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch was lit behind closed doors at the ancient Olympia site in Greece, marking the official start of the torch relay for the postponed Games.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional lighting ceremony, which usually attracts thousands of spectators, was held without an audience to ensure public health and safety. The ceremony was instead broadcast live on television and online platforms.

The torch was lit by a group of 10 young women, known as the "Hera Cleruchs," who were chosen for their dedication to the Olympic values and their contributions to their communities. They were dressed in traditional Greek attire and used a concave mirror to focus the sun's rays onto a torch, symbolizing the ancient Olympic tradition.

The torch relay will now travel to Japan, where it will be carried by thousands of torchbearers over the next several weeks, covering a distance of over 20,000 kilometers. The relay is expected to conclude with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Games, which are now scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8, 2021.

This unusual ceremony marked a significant moment in the history of the Olympic Games, as it was the first time the torch lighting ceremony was held without an audience. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee remained committed to preserving the tradition and spirit of the Olympic Games.