This July, the Olympic Games take place in Paris, France. An important part of the Olympics is already underway. The fire from the Olympic torch has already been lit. Now, it makes its long journey from Greece to Paris. There, it will be part of the opening ceremony. It lights a large fire. The fire will burn for the entire Olympic Games.
The Olympic Torch was lit on April 16, 2024. The ceremony took place in Olympia, Greece. This is the site where the Ancient Greeks first had the Olympics. Now, runners will run with the torch. Each runner brings the torch to the next runner. When they meet, they pass the fire to the next runner’s torch. The runners will run all the way from Olympia, Greece to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris.
For the Paris Olympics, the Olympic flame is taking an even longer journey. The torch will travel on a ship to France. Then runners will take it to different places in France. Then it will take another ship. It will visit some of France’s territories [places controlled by a country far away]. This voyage will take nine days. It will cross three oceans! On June 18, it will return to France. It will continue its journey to Paris. The flame will finally arrive for the opening ceremony on July 26.
Carrying the flame from Greece to the Olympics is an important tradition. It symbolizes the Olympic Games travelling across the world.
What Do You Think? Why do you think symbols like the Olympic flame are important?
Photo Credit: Chris Ryan/Age Fotostock
