THE OLYMPIC FLAME IS LIT 🔥 At the archaeological site of Olympia in Greece (the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games), at the Temple of Hera, an actress portraying a high priestess ignited the flame. The ceremony paid homage to an ancient ritual, tying the modern games to its historic roots. The torch relay now begins to get the flame to Paris before the opening ceremonies on July 26th! Video and description: Olympics | French Embassy in the U.S.

Explore Ancient Olympia in a stunning 3D animation. In western Peloponnese, in the so-called "valley of the gods", Ancient Olympia grew to be the most celebrated sacred site of Ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the most important sports events in all antiquity: starting from 776 B.C., all Greeks – across the then known world – would be united every four years and all hostilities would be suspended so that everyone could take part in these games in the true spirit of sports