Last Thursday we had the opportunity to see the 2012 Olympic flame! The flame for the Olympics is always lit at the site of the first Olympic games, Olympia, Greece. As a side note, the ancient site of Olympia had SO much more going on in antiquity than just games, but that's another history lesson. Anyway, after being lit at Olympia the flame made its way to Athens and spent the day/night at the Acropolis.
The flame was being guarded by a few police officers in order to ensure that it wouldn't be extinguished. How does the flame remain lit, you ask? Well, a cord from the base of the cauldron led to a series of propane tanks strategically placed behind a few ancient blocks. Kinda sneaky!
Many lucky visitors were able to see and photograph the flame with the price of admission to the Acropolis. Later in the day the flame journeyed through Athens to the Panathenaic Stadium where a ceremony was held to celebrate the passing of the flame from Greek hands to English hands. I didn't get the chance to attend but was told from some of my friends who did that David Beckham and Queen Ann were in the audience. These two dignitaries escorted the flame to the British Embassy (very near to Loring Hall) for a party and an overnight before it was flown to England the next morning.
Many lucky visitors were able to see and photograph the flame with the price of admission to the Acropolis. Later in the day the flame journeyed through Athens to the Panathenaic Stadium where a ceremony was held to celebrate the passing of the flame from Greek hands to English hands. I didn't get the chance to attend but was told from some of my friends who did that David Beckham and Queen Ann were in the audience. These two dignitaries escorted the flame to the British Embassy (very near to Loring Hall) for a party and an overnight before it was flown to England the next morning.
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