Olympic flames for Sochi Games ready for relay
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ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) - Using the sun's rays, the Olympic flame lighting for the Winter Games in Sochi went off without a hitch in southern Greece Sunday, ahead of its journey across Russia's nine time zones and even a trip to space before the Fe
The ceremony was held with actresses dressed as ancient priestesses at the birthplace of the Greek games held in antiquity, with the flame lighting using a parabolic mirror.
Actress Ino Menegaki, in the role of high priestess, called out to the ancient god of the sun, Apollo, before the flame was lit and passed to 18-year-old Greek alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou. NHL star Alex Ovechkin will be the first Russian involved in the torch relay.
Newly elected International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was present at the 20-minute ancient re-enactment, involving 21 priestesses dressed in cream-colored pleated dresses.
