ATHENS: For the very first time in its history, the organizers of the Olympic Games have selected two female athletes to lead the torch relay ceremony marking the official start of the 2020 edition of the games.
According to an official announcement by the HOC – Hellenic Olympic Committee, Greek Olympic shooting champion Anna Korakaki will be the first athlete to carry the Olympic torch in a ceremony on March 12.
The last Greek torchbearer to carry the Flame inside the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens during the handover ceremony on March 19 will be another female athlete, Katerina Stefanidi.
The Olympic Flame will be ignited during a ritual ceremony using the sun’s rays inside the ancient stadium at the birthplace of the Olympic games.
The torch will then be handed to the athletes by the Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou portraying the role of ancient Greek high priestess.
Korakaki won a gold and a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and was the world champion in 2018. Whereas, Stefanidi won a gold medal in pole vaulting at the 2016 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the torch flame lighting schedule for 2020 Paralympics games has also been revealed. The ceremony will take place in Japan on August 13 and will festivities will continue till the Opening ceremony of Paralympics on August 15.
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