(ATR) Against the uncertainty of a pandemic, the flame for the 2020 Games is lit in Greece.
The flame was kindled midday in Ancient Olympia amid the ruins of the first Olympic Games. The traditional lighting of the flame was carried out successfully with a parabolic dish on a sunny day in the Peloponnese.
While the performance of the ceremony by a troupe of performers dressed as ancient priestesses was similar to those of past lightings, the audience was limited to about 100 people. In the past more than 10,000 spectators would fill the grassy hillside of the stadium that was the scene of footraces 3,000 years ago.
The absence of a crowd was the most obvious sign of the last-minute measures to avoid the risk of the coronavirus that has now been termed a pandemic. Along with spectators, even the list of dignitaries was limited. IOC President Thomas Bach was one of just four IOC members in Olympia. Just a handful of Tokyo 2020 executives made the trip. And the seating wasn’t elbow to elbow, instead separated by about a meter each.
Not in attendance were representatives of any upcoming Olympic Games who customarily are part of the crowd of dignitaries.
Bach, in his remarks at the ceremony, thanked the Greek hosts for organizing the event "even under difficult circumstances".
He was resolute that the Games will happen in July as planned while the world battles the pandemic.
"This demonstrates once more our commitment to the successof the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. Nineteen weeks before the opening ceremony, we are strengthened by this commitment by the many authorities and sports organizations around the world who are taking so many significant measures to contain the spread of the corona virus," Bach said.
He said the Tokyo Olympics will be "delivered by an all star, all Japan team".
The ceremony marked the first time a woman has been the initial torchbearer to receive the newly-kindled flame at the ceremony. Anna Korakaki, 2016 Olympic gold medalist in shooting for Greece carried the torch through the ancient stadium, handing the flame to 2004 Olympic marathon gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi of Japan.
The Greek portion of the relay will last one week followed by the transfer ceremony March 19 in Athens. That event has been scaled back due to precautions for the coronavirus, too.
Reported by Ed Hula.
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