The ceremony for the official handover of the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens and is open to the general public on Friday 26th April at 6:30pm (18:30).
The Olympic flame will be first lit at Ancient Olympia on the 16th April in the ancient Temple of Hera, where up to 30 priestesses or ‘Caryatids Kores’ perform a series of rituals, calling on the mythical god Apollo to light the Olympic flame.
The Caryatids Korres performing at the 2016 Olympic Flame handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. Photograph: Why Athens
The flame will then make its way through Greece with the Olympic torch relay covering over 2,000km’s and carried by approximately 500 torchbearers eventually reaching the Acropolis before arriving at the Panathenaic Stadium the next day. The general public is welcome to watch the ceremony, which will also be cast live around the world on the official Olympic Games website.
The final runner of the Olympic flame torch relay at the 2016 Olympics passes the Greek Presidential Guard. Photograph: Why Athens
The ceremony is an absolute highlight for anyone visiting Athens. Visitors are advised to arrive well in advance of the 6:30pm starting time (we suggest arriving at or before 5:00pm) to witness the official ceremony which includes the Greek Presidential Guard, the City of Athens Marching Band and a performance by the 30 Caryatids Korres before the flame is handed over to the Paris Olympic Committee.
The last Olympic flame relay runner in Greece lights the Olympic cauldron before it is handed over to the host country. Photograph: Why Athens
Why Athens Tips:
All ages welcome and all events are free.
No tickets or registration required, seating is on a first-come basis.
Start time is 6:30pm however we suggest arriving by 5:00pm.
Find more events on in Athens.
