Fast plane to China, Bejing’s torch on its way

By Philip Barker

The Olympic Flame has been formally entrusted to Beijing in a ceremony at the historic Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens which was held with very strict security after events at the lighting ceremony, when human rights protesters waved banners and shouted slogans in the precincts of the archaeological site.

The ceremony was held without spectators as COVID-19 precautions remain in force in Greece.

Organising Committee Vice President Yu Zaiqing received the Flame in a safety lantern and carried it from the stadium accompanied by Beijing 2022 Flame Attendants in white uniforms trimmed with blue. Yu, speaking entirely in Chinese, spoke of China’s efforts to promote the Olympic spirit since the 2008 Beijing Games.

“Over the past 13 years, the Olympic movement has witnessed further development in China. Beijing 2022 is committed to a green, inclusive open and clean approach to preparing and hosting the Games,” Yu claimed.

Earlier in the day, anti Olympic campaigners had called for the Games to be relocated as a reaction to China’s record on human rights and persecution of minority groups. “No Beijing 2022” described the Games as “Sportwashing genocide,” and renewed calls for the event to be relocated. They insist that Beijing Games would be “a defilement to the sacred tradition of the Olympic Games.”

The Flame had been brought down from the Acropolis where it had spent last evening under heavy guard in front of the Parthenon.

The final three torchbearers on Greek soil were all women. 2004 water polo silver medallist Evi Moratidou carried the torch into the stadium and passed the flame to Chinese freestyle skier Li Nina before cross country skier Paraskevi Ladopoulou ran through an avenue formed by the ranks of the Evzones, the elite ceremonial presidential guard.

Ladopoulou lit a ceremonial gold coloured cauldron in the centre of the stadium, surrounded by the Priestesses who performed a dance of the “Naiades” or nymphs to the music of Yannis Psimadas. The melody was based on archaic instruments, the movements directed by choreographer Artemis Ignatiou.

The Olympic Anthem first performed in this very stadium in 1896 had been played by the Athens Philharmonia, just as had been the case 125 years ago.

It fell to Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos to pass the Torch to Yu in the moment which formally entrusted the Flame to Beijing 2022.

“Your history, your culture your tradition, your faith in values and your great love of sport, give us the assurance that you will organise excellent Games next February,” he said.