Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Paris 2024: Olympic torch lit in ancient birthplace of the Games

This ceremony started the torch relay, which will travel through Greece and France, culminating with the lighting of the Olympic flame in Paris during the opening ceremony.

Paris 2024: Olympic torch lit in ancient birthplace of the Games

The Olympic torch for the Paris 2024 Games was officially lit in ancient Olympia on Tuesday, initiating the final phase of the seven-year preparations for the Games, set to begin on July 26.

Due to overcast weather, Greek actress Mary Mina, portraying the role of a high priestess, used a backup flame rather than the traditional parabolic mirror to light the torch.


This ceremony started the torch relay, which will travel through Greece and France, culminating with the lighting of the Olympic flame in Paris during the opening ceremony. Paris will be hosting the Summer Olympics for the third time, following its 1900 and 1924 Games.

During the event, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach emphasised the significance of the occasion, stating, "In these difficult times we are living through, with wars and conflicts on the rise, people are fed up with all the hate, the aggression, and negative news they are facing day in and day out. We are longing for something which brings us together, something that is unifying, something that gives us hope. The Olympic flame that we are lighting today is the symbol of this hope."

The IOC has decided that Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete at the Olympics as neutral competitors, without national symbols, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a decision that has provoked criticism from Moscow.

French President Emmanuel Macron has also called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Olympics, a suggestion that has been skeptically received by the Kremlin, suggesting it could allow Ukraine to regroup militarily.

The torch was first passed by the high priestess to Greek Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos, the first runner of the relay. Ntouskos then handed off the flame to Laure Manaudou, a three-time Olympic medalist in swimming and the leader of Paris' Olympic torch relay, representing the host city.

After completing its journey across Greece, the flame will be formally handed over to the Paris Games organizers in Athens's Panathenaic Stadium on April 26. The flame will then travel to France on April 27 aboard the three-masted ship ‘Belem,’ arriving in Marseille on May 8, where a large turnout is expected for the ceremony in the Old Port. The final torchbearer in Marseille will scale the roof of the Velodrome Stadium on May 9, as per the organizers.

Marseille, originally founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC, will host the sailing events. The French segment of the torch relay will last 68 days and conclude in Paris with the lighting of the Olympic flame on July 26.

(Reuters)

More For You

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recreate iconic 'Friends' scene at glamorous galantine's bash

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez share a fun Galentine’s night, recreating an iconic Friends moment that sent the internet into a frenzy.

Instagram/lolavie

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recreate iconic 'Friends' scene at glamorous galantine's bash

Hollywood stars Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recently turned heads with their star-studded Galentine’s bash, blending glamour, nostalgia, and a whole lot of girl power. The duo, who share a close bond both personally and professionally, hosted the event to celebrate their beauty brands, LolaVie and Rare Beauty.

The highlight of the evening? The internet went into a frenzy when the duo recreated an iconic Friends scene, paying tribute to the sitcom that made Aniston a household name. A viral video showed them lip-syncing to Rachel and Joey’s famous “Do you know something?” exchange, originally performed by Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. Fans couldn’t get enough, with many calling it the “collab of the century.”


The night was filled with heartwarming moments, from their matching all-black outfits to their playful photo booth sessions. Aniston took to Instagram to share glimpses from the evening, captioning it, “Had a nice early Galentine’s with my girls.”

Selena Gomez, who has often referred to Aniston as a mentor, shared how the Friends star has been a constant source of support and advice. “She’s always been there for me,” Selena said, talking about the importance of having strong female friendships in her life. Aniston, in turn, praised Gomez, calling their bond a “sister-mother” relationship where they uplift and guide each other.

Beyond the celebrations, reports suggest that Aniston is also helping Selena plan her wedding to music producer Benny Blanco. The guest list is rumoured to include A-listers like Taylor Swift and Meryl Streep, making it one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings of the year.

From their heartfelt moments to a Friends throwback that broke the internet, Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez’s Galentine’s night was a perfect mix of nostalgia, friendship, and lots of glam.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Priyanka Chopra brings star power and sisterly love to Siddharth Chopra’s wedding, making it a night of unforgettable celebrations

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Mumbai was alive with celebration as Priyanka Chopra turned her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding into a full-blown star spectacle. The global star didn’t just attend but owned the moment, hyping up the crowd, dancing her heart out, and making sure the festivities were as grand as they were unforgettable.

Dressed in a stunning baby blue lehenga, Priyanka walked her brother down the aisle, turning the emotional moment into a celebration. She hyped up the crowd, encouraging them to cheer louder as she accompanied Siddharth to his bride, Neelam Upadhaya. She was every bit the doting sister, soaking in the joy of the moment. But we know Priyanka isn’t just a responsible sister—she was the life of the party. Earlier, she danced with abandon at Siddharth’s baraat, grooving to Gallan Goodiyan from her 2015 film Dil Dhadakne Do. Her infectious energy truly set the tone for the festivities, showing us that no one throws a celebration quite like the Chopras.

Keep ReadingShow less
Column: How much longer will Rachel Reeves stay on as chancellor?

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves

Column: How much longer will Rachel Reeves stay on as chancellor?

THERE are a few Labour MPs who think “Rachel from accounts will be gone sooner than you think”.

She has certainly outdone Liz Truss in trashing the economy, but the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, will be loath to sack Rachel Reeves as chancellor because his own future is tied up with hers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Playwright Farrah Chaudhry's 'Community' is a love letter to brown lives in Birmingham

Farrah Chaudhry

Playwright Farrah Chaudhry's 'Community' is a love letter to brown lives in Birmingham

IN A world where the media often focuses on differences, a British Asian playwright has shone the spotlight on the shared humanity within brown and Muslim communities.

Birmingham-based Farrah Chaudhry said her latest comedy-drama, Community, challenges stereotypes, offering a narrative that celebrates everyday lives, connections, and healing.

Keep ReadingShow less
England rejects calls to boycott Afghanistan match

ECB chairman Richard Thompson. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

England rejects calls to boycott Afghanistan match

ENGLAND will play their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan later this month, England's cricket board (ECB) said, despite calls to boycott the game in response to the Taliban government's crackdown on women's rights.

Last month, a group of British lawmakers urged England to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan which will be held in Lahore on February 26.

Keep ReadingShow less