The trip of the Olympic flame

[Nina]

In about one hour, the Olympic flame will be lit in Olympia. Regardless of all the controversy regarding the Games, this ceremony is beautiful and can give you an idea of the original spirit of the Games.
The fact that this flame reaches all corners of the world shows how things have changed in modern times. It's fascinating!

[scoo24]

I watched some of it a couple of hours ago. Some people are wearing tshirts. What are the temperatures like in mount olympia???

[Nina]

I think you're confusing Olympia with Mt Olympos which are two different places (Mt Olympos in central Greece, Olympia in the Western Peloponese).
Anyway, the temperature must have been around 20C (68F) and since it was sunny it seems normal to me that some people were wearing Ts. The clothes the actresses acting as priestesses are sleeveless too.

I was saddened to see the protest during the ceremony. It didn't come as a surprise however.

[scoo24]

How embarrassing!!!

[gingerale]

Considering the fact that the Olympic torch relay was invented by the national socialists I'm always surprised it became a symbol of peace and solidarity.

[Nina]

Torch relays were not invented by the national socialists. They were common in ancient Greece and were later "adopted" since they were impressive to look at. It is true that in modern times a torch relay for the Olympic Games first took place in Berlin in 1936, but a flame was lit at the altar of Olympia during the ancient Games as part of a ceremony in honour of the Gods.
This might give you an idea: http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/...14039831.shtml

Apparently not everyone sees things the same way. I suppose as a Greek I am more sensitive when it comes to the Games. Never mind...

[gingerale]

I was referring to the Olympic torch relay, it's symbolic character and it's controversial origin, which is just another thing to know. http://www2.hoc.gr/HOC/EN/default.aspx?SITE_ID=19
Everybody has their reasons for being sensitive about certain things, isn't it.

[Nina]

There is a lot of controversy around the Games in general.

I don't know what you mean by "reasons for being sensitive" gingerale. If by any chance you thought I was sympathetic to the regime you referred to, I will only say you don't know me.

[gingerale]

Nina, I was responding to what you wrote in the message before, where you stated you "suppose as a Greek I am more sensitive".
And my statement is everybody has their reasons for being sensitive about certain things. As your reply did proof again and so does my.
I'll stay away from this from now on.
Peace.

[Nina]

I apologise. I misunderstood. This is not what I had in mind when I started the thread. I'd better stay away myself.
Peace.

[Mignon]

I watched a part of the ceremony in Olympia and I was impressed. I said here somewhere that horror movies usually make me laugh. Well, these Olympic ceremonies usually make me very emotional. I suppose it's what they call "Olympic spirit" and the hope for a world where it could actually reign.

BTW, Gingerale, our baron Pierre de Coubertin would die again if he saw his name written the way it's written on that site you showed us. Or maybe he would have a good laugh.

Peace, of course. Never enough peace. And never enough joy.