Madrid – Signalling the start of the countdown toward the Olympic Winter Games, the Olympic Flame Lighting ceremony is a captivating and historic event which starts the Olympic Torch Relay on the road to PyeongChang 2018. The Olympic Channel will present LIVE online coverage from Olympia, Greece on Tuesday, 24 October starting at 12 p.m. local time (11 a.m. CEST) on  its mobile apps. In addition, Korean commentary will be available to those in the host country of the Republic of Korea.

 

Held in the home of the ancient Games in Greece, a torch at the ancient temple of Hera will be lit by the rays of the sun using a parabolic mirror to set off a domestic relay. The lighting ceremony features actress Katerina Lehou as High Priestess and Artemis Ignatiou as the choreographer.

 

The first torchbearer will be Greek cross-country skier Apostolos Angelis, who has already qualified for PyeongChang 2018. He will be followed by the famous football player Park Ji-Sung (Republic of Korea) who will carry the Olympic Flame from the torch of Angelis outside the Pierre de Coubertin Grove.

 

Following the flame lighting ceremony, the Olympic Channel will be on the ground in Greece and in the Korean city of Incheon on 1 November to mark “100 days to go” as the torch makes its way to PyeongChang for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games on 9 February.