The Olympic Flame, Torch and Relay draw on a history going back to the ancient Olympic Games in Greece.
The Torch and Relay were important elements of the cultural festivals surrounding the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece. During the Games, a sacred flame burned continually on the altar of the goddess, Hera. In addition, heralds were summoned to travel throughout Greece to announce the Games, declaring a sacred truce for the duration.
The Modern Olympics: Spreading the Light from Greece
A very precise ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the ancient Games.
After a short relay around Greece, the Flame is handed over to the new Host City at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens.
The Flame is then delivered to the Host Country, where it is transferred from one Torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship. It ends its journey as the last Torchbearer lights the cauldron at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games.
The Flame is extinguished on the final day of the Games, at the Closing Ceremony.
London Olympics 2012 Torch Relay:
Torch was lit on May 10 ,2012 in Temple of Hera ,Greece. Then it travelled across Europe to reach England. It will reach the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 Opening Ceremony.
Gary Lineker carries Olympic torch in home city of Leicester
Olympic-torch-bearers Abu Kasam and-Dame Kelly Holmes outside the Tower of London
Olympic torch
Torchbearer-Ceinwen-Giles Day 66
Olympic Torch in Sevenoaks, Kent
Roger Black carrying the torch between Shere and Godalming
Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA
Olympic torch day 63-Royal Marine Martin Williams abseiling from-a helicopter with the Olympic flame inside a lantern into the grounds of the Tower of London
Photograph: Yui Mok/PA
Spyridon Gianniotis carries the Olympic flame in one hand and an olive branch in the other
The London 2012 Olympic torch designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP
Torchbearer Abdul Kasam shakes hands with London mayor Boris Johnson as he carries the Olympic torch inside Tower of London