The Olympic Flame for the 2012 London Games was welcomed with great enthusiasm in Athens on May 16, 2012, as it reached the Acropolis Hill, finishing its long trip across Greece on the eve of the handover ceremony.
Greek world champion in high jump Dimitris Chondrokoukis lit the cauldron on the sacred hill Wednesday that will host the Olympic Light overnight, sending the world messages of the Olympic ideals.
The lighting of the cauldron in front of the Parthenon temple marked the end of the seventh day of the Torch Relay that had started from the city of Lamia, about 200 km north of Athens and crossed Piraeus port, before reaching Athens.
The ceremony will be attended by Greek President Karolos Papoulias and Princess Anne of the United Kingdom, who has participated in the Games in the past, in equestrian events, said a press release of the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
According to Greek media, English football star David Beckham will be standing next to Princess Anne, along five children from the UK when HOC president Spyros Capralos will hand her the Flame.
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