The torch for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which will open in February next year, was lit at the Temple of Hera, Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.
The lighting ceremony of the torch held on the 18th local time was attended by International Olympic Committee Chairman Thomas Bach and Greece’s President Katerina Sakelaropulu.
The role of High Priest was played by Greek actor Santi Georgiu, and alpine skier Ioanis Antonio was the first torchbearer.
The lit torch will be taken over by the Beijing Winter Olympic Games Organizing Committee on the 19th.
At the torch lighting ceremony, a surprise demonstration by human rights groups against the Beijing Winter Olympics took place.
Protesters held out banners and Tibetan flags that read ‘oppose games of genocide’.
The day before the torch was lit, human rights activists were arrested by the local police for protesting against it.
YTN Jongsoo Lee (jslee@ytn.co.kr)
[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
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