Background: Olympic Flame

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 03-24-2008 13:34

The tradition of lighting the Olympic Flame dates back to the ancient Greeks. During the ancient Olympic Games.

In modern-day Olympic history the Olympic flame was first lit during the 1936 Berlin Games.

A sacred flame was lit from the rays of the Sun at Olympia, and stayed lit until the Games were completed. According to tradition the Olympic Flame represents the "endeavor for protection and struggle for victory". In modern-day Olympic history the Olympic flame was first lit during the 1936 Berlin Games. Since then, the flame has come to symbolize "the light of spirit, knowledge, and life". And the tradition has continued for a total of 16 Olympic Summer Games.

Throughout Olympic history the flame has been lit at the ancient Olympic Stadium in Olympia, and then transported to the host city where the last runner uses it to light the large Olympic cauldron. The Olympic torch relay symbolizes the passing of Olympic traditions from one generation to the next.

Editor:Zhang Ning