Crisis-hit Greeks, Brazilians, ready for Olympic flame

AFP, ATHENS: Greece, beset by economic difficulties and a migration crisis, will hold a traditional ceremony Thursday for the Rio Olympics as Brazil battles its own political woes.
The dress rehearsal for the lighting of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia went ahead smoothly Wednesday, and the official ceremony on Thursday will launch a four-month torch relay culminating at Maracana Stadium for the Games opening ceremony on August 5.
The torch harks back to the ancient Olympics, when a sacred flame burned throughout the Games. The tradition was revived in 1936 for the Berlin Olympics.
The Olympic torch relay will run through part of Greece before being handed over to Brazilian officials on April 27 for the start of a 95-day relay across the South American country a week later.
A highlight of the Greek leg will be the passing of the torch on April 26 through the refugee camp of Eleonas, where one of the hundreds of refugees housed there will carry the flame.
The runner's name is to be announced on Friday, Greek organisers said.
The International Olympic Committee has given the green light for a team of up to 10 refugees to take part at the Rio Olympics.
So far, 43 high-performance athletes, who are also refugees, have been identified as possibly being eligible for the Games in Brazil.
Bach said the final number would depend on meeting qualifying criteria, adding that the team would compete under the flag of the IOC.
"We have all been touched by the magnitude of this refugee crisis. By welcoming this team, we want to send a message of hope to all the refugees in the world," Bach, who visited Eleonas in January, said in March.

Crisis-hit Greeks, Brazilians, ready for Olympic flame

AFP, ATHENS: Greece, beset by economic difficulties and a migration crisis, will hold a traditional ceremony Thursday for the Rio Olympics as Brazil battles its own political woes. The dress rehearsal for the lighting of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia went ahead smoothly Wednesday, and the official ceremony on Thursday will launch a four-month torch relay culminating at Maracana Stadium for the Games opening ceremony on August 5. The torch harks back to the ancient Olympics, when a sacred flame burned throughout the Games. The tradition was revived in 1936 for the Berlin Olympics. The Olympic torch relay will run through part of Greece before being handed over to Brazilian officials on April 27 for the start of a 95-day relay across the South American country a week later. A highlight of the Greek leg will be the passing of the torch on April 26 through the refugee camp of Eleonas, where one of the hundreds of refugees housed there will carry the flame. The runners name is to be announced on Friday, Greek organisers said. The International Olympic Committee has given the green light for a team of up to 10 refugees to take part at the Rio Olympics. So far, 43 high-performance athletes, who are also refugees, have been identified as possibly being eligible for the Games in Brazil. Bach said the final number would depend on meeting qualifying criteria, adding that the team would compete under the flag of the IOC. We have all been touched by the magnitude of this refugee crisis. By welcoming this team, we want to send a message of hope to all the refugees in the world, Bach, who visited Eleonas in January, said in March.