The countdown to the London 2012 Games began in earnest today as the world watched the Olympic Flame being lit in ancient Olympia.
The traditional ceremony took place under baking sun and tight security in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Greece, birthplace of the ancient Games.
Dressed in robes, Ino Menegaki, an actress who has studied classical song, music and movement, played the key role of the high priestess who lights the flame from the rays of the sun.
She lifted a blazing torch from a parabolic mirror so it is lit as if beamed by the sun’s rays from the Greek god of the sun to guarantee the purity of the flame, according to tradition.
This is the only way the Olympic flame can be lit, again as stated by ancient rituals.
The torch for the London Games will set off on a seven-day journey across Greece before it leaves for Britain on May 18th.
A Traveller, a special Olympian and a garda will join six Irish Olympic medallists from the last half century in the Dublin relay of the torch next month.
The relay will inspire a generation and lift the spirits of people in Britain and the world, Games chief Sebastian Coe said today at the lighting ceremony.
"We promise to protect the Flame; to cherish its traditions and to stage an uplifting torch relay of which we can all be proud and which can inspire a generation," Mr Coe said in his brief speech in front of the International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge.
"As torchbearers lift the Olympic flame in the days and months ahead, it is our hope that they will also lift the spirits and hopes of people across Britain and across world," said the former Olympic champion.
"We will involve young people from all backgrounds, cultures and faith groups in the torch relay, reflecting London's immense diversity and creativity as a global destination and voice for young people," said Mr Coe.
"This is the second time the people of the UK have gathered here to celebrate igniting of the flame," he said.
"In 1948, shortly after the Second World War, my predecessor stood where I am today and made the first tentative steps in turning the world from war to sport."
"We find ourselves in challenging times again and turn to sport once more to connect the world in a global celebration of achievement and inspiration."
London is the only city to have lit the torch twice in Olympia.
The 70-day torch relay will travel 12,800 km around Britain, taking in 1,018 villages and the 1,085-metre summit of Snowdon, before culminating with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in the Olympic Stadium on the opening day of the Games on July 27th.
The relay will also take in landmarks around Britain with the flame travelling by canal boat, cable car, tram, steam train, hot air balloon and even motorcycle sidecar on the Isle of Man TT course.
More than 95 per cent of the population will be within an hour of the route.
Among the 41 torch bearers to carry the flame in Dublin are Eurovision duo Jedward (John and Edward Grimes) who will carry it together. The pair are keen cross-country runners and completed the Los Angeles marathon in March.