Milan-Cortina: the flame arrived in Athens, then handed over to Italy
ATHENS - The Milan Cortina Flame's trip to Greece ended with the arrival in Athens, the last stage of a 2,000-kilometre journey that touched many regions of the country and almost all the major mountain resorts: from Chelmos to Pindos, from Olympus to Pelion.
Leaving Lamia in the morning, the Flame headed south in a gymkhana through the mountains and plains of central Greece. Its route passed Arachova and Livadia, towns rich in local history and culture, where the Flame was welcomed by communities celebrating the tradition and values of the Olympic spirit.
A long journey through the vast Athens metropolitan area with stops in Kifisia, Marousi, Peristeri, Aigaleo, Kallithea and Nea Smyrni. Neighbourhoods that are a cross-section of the complexity of one of the most populous cities in the world.
Along the way, the Flame was lit in Chalandri in front of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, in the area where the Olympic Stadium complex created for the 2004 Athens Games is located.
Then, at dusk, the ascent to the Acropolis where the Flame will be stationed for the night. On the ascent to Plaka it passed the Panathinaiko, the stadium where on Thursday morning the ceremony of handing over the Flame by the president of the Greek Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos to the president of the Milan Cortina Committee, Giovanni Malagò, will take place.
