Olympic flame arrives at Acropolis afer global journey

Описание: (12 Aug 2004)

1. US gold medalist Carl Lewis receives olympic torch flame
2. Lewis running with flame toward Acropolis
3. Lewis passing flame to Greek high jumper Niki Bakogianni
4. Wide of Acropolis
5. Various Bakogianni entering Acropolis and going up stairs
6. Lighting of Olympic flame above Athens
7. Band playing Greek anthem
8. Dignitaries looking on, Olympic President Jacques Rogge, Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyanni
9. Band playing

STORYLINE

Just after sunset on Thursday the Olympic flame was lit at the Acropolis after being passed through the streets of Athens by a succession of athletes.

Nine-times Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis handed the flame to Greek high jumper Niki Bakogianni, a silver medallist at Atlanta in 1996, who mounted the stairs of the ancient temple on the hill overlooking Athens to light a cauldron.

The flame reached the Acropolis after a journey across five continents and was cheered on by thousands of Athenians and tourists as it crossed the city.

It will burn above the capital before launching the Games on Friday.

Watching the lighting ceremony were International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyanni.

The Olympic flame was originally lit in March at Olympia, an ancient site of the Games southwest of Athens.

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