Six torchbearers will carry the flame through Greece for a week, with alpine skier AJ Ginnis taking the first leg. On December 4, the torch will arrive in the Italian capital, Rome, and two days later the Olympic torch relay will officially begin.
The 63-day relay includes 10,001 torchbearers who will collectively travel over 12,000 kilometers through all 110 provinces of Italy, before reaching the San Siro stadium in Milan on February 6. Then the torch will light the Olympic flame that opens the games.
During her speech before the lighting of the flame, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, was visibly moved.
"I didn't mean to get emotional, but this place is very special," Coventry says with tears in her eyes.
The Olympics will be held from February 6-22 next year.
