Olympic torch lit in ancient Olympia

MANILA, Philippines – The Sochi 2013 Winter Olympic torch was lit in ancient Olympia, heralding the start of what will be the longest torch relay for any Winter Games, including a trip to space. The Black Sea resort of Sochi, the first Russian city to stage a Winter Olympics will receive the flame on October 5, after a short relay in Greece to kick off a 123-day odyssey culminating at the opening ceremony on February 7. After leaving Greece, the flame will travel to outer space, the bottom of Lake Baikal, the North Pole, and Europe’s highest peak in the mammoth run across the vast country, carried by a record 14,000 torch bearers. -- Mornings @ ANC, September 30, 2013