The Olympic flame began its journey from Greece to France aboard the legendary French ship Belém. The three-masted barge, which is recognized as a historical monument, set sail from the port of Piraeus and is due to arrive in Marseille on May 8.
Belem, which was built in 1896, will travel for more than ten days until it reaches the city where a Greek colony was founded six centuries before the New Era. "The feeling is extraordinary. The emotion is incomparable," exclaimed Tony Estange, head of the organizing committee for the Olympic Games.
Belem's company sailed from Piraeus with the trireme Olympias of the Greek Navy, as well as 25 other sailing boats, as dozens of people gathered to watch the event live. "We came to make our children understand that the Olympic ideal was born in Greece. The emotions are strong," said Yorgos Kontopoulos.
The 89-year-old icon of Greek music, Nana Mouskouri, who has released over 200 albums in 12 different languages, performed the national anthems of Greece and France during the ceremony.
The Olympics in Paris will be held from July 26 to August 11. /BGNES
