Homepage >
News
FIH
Calendar
Events & Results
Player Profiles
Rules
Event Management
Photo Gallery
WorldHockey TV
Athletes
Development
Coaching
Umpires
Publications
Pitches & Equipment
Medical
Anti-Doping
Directory
Contact Us
Intranet
 
Olympic torch lit in Olympia
25 Mar 2008 15:17
 

The Olympic torch has been lit in front of the Temple of Hera on the historic grounds of Olympia, in the birthplace of Olympism, where the Ancient Olympic Games took place. The flame was lit successfully by a Holy Priestess, according to the traditional ritual, using the sun’s rays and a parabolic mirror.

Following the mythical lightning, the priestess entered the Ancient Olympic Stadium with the torch and handed it over to the first runner of the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay. The young man passed by the tomb where Pierre de Coubertin’s heart is buried, to launch the long journey of harmony of this Relay. The torch will be crossing five continents and stopping in 21 cities around the world before reaching China, where it will stop in over 100 places. On 8 August, it will enter the Olympic Stadium in Beijing during the Opening Ceremony to light the Olympic cauldron.

Before the ceremony in Olympia, IOC President Jacques Rogge made the following statement:

‘The lighting of the Olympic Flame in Olympia is a time to reflect on the role of the IOC. The main responsibility of the IOC is to deliver the best possible Olympic Games to the athletes, who deserve it.

We do this in a close and intense collaboration with the Beijing Organizing Committee.

Awarding the Olympic Games to the most populous country in the world will open up one fifth of mankind to Olympism.

We believe that China will change by opening the country to the scrutiny of the world through the 25’000 media who will attend the Games. The Olympic Games are a force for good. They are a catalyst for change, not a panacea for all ills.

NGOs and Human Rights’ activists want to leverage the Games and ask the IOC to act along by their side.

The IOC respects NGOs and activist groups and their causes, and speaks regularly with them - but we are neither a political nor an activist organization.

As I stated last weekend, the events in Tibet are a matter of great concern to the IOC. The IOC has already expressed the hope that this conflict should be resolved peacefully as soon as possible. Violence for whatever reason is contrary to the Olympic values and spirit.

The IOC will continue to respect the cause of the Human Rights. The IOC will work tirelessly with China for the welfare of the athletes and the success of the Olympic Games.’

Source: IOC


World News
Korea win last ticket for Beijing
Australia wins Darwin 4 nations championship
Italy join Korea in the Final
WorldHockey Youth Promoter’s Trophy 2008 back to Germany
Korean Player suspended at Olympic Qualifier in Victoria
Day 4 – Korea push aside Ireland, Italy falter against Malaysia
Day 3 – Korea and Ireland on a roll with their third wins
Day 2 – Second wins for Korea, Italy and Ireland
USA take top honors and book ticket to Beijing
Australia defeat Korea in Perth 4 Nations championship match
Korea, Italy and Ireland open with wins in Canada
USA and Belgium meet in Qualifier final
USA practically in qualifier final, Belgium back in the chase
Athletes passionately express their feelings on Beijing 2008
Last minute goal costs Australia direct access to championship match
 
Video Showcase
Olympic Games 2008
| Teams Qualified
| Men's Pools
| Women's Pools
Events 2008
| Full Calendar
| Appointments 2008


World Youth Hockey
Promotors Fesitval

 
© 2008 International Hockey Federation. All Rights Reserved. powered by fihockey.org