In a groundbreaking moment for the Olympics, the torch relay for the 2020 Tokyo Games will be initiated by a female athlete for the first time in 124 years. The Hellenic Olympic Committee recently announced that Sofia Dimitriou, an accomplished shooter and gold medalist at the Rio de Janeiro Games, will have the honor of lighting the torch.
The ceremony will commence as usual in Olympia, Greece, the historic site of the original Olympic Games. Spyros Georgiou, president of the Greek Olympic Committee, called this a “monumental occasion” and it’s hard to disagree. Dimitriou has represented Greece on the national Olympic team since 2010 and achieved gold in the women’s 25m pistol event and bronze in the 10m air pistol at the 2016 Olympics.
“It’s an enormous privilege for me. The emotions will be overwhelming, especially during that moment at Ancient Olympia. I can’t wait to experience it, and I know it will stay with me forever,” Dimitriou shared in a statement.
After lighting the torch, Dimitriou will pass it to renowned Japanese long-distance runner Aiko Nakamura, who won gold in the women’s marathon at the Athens Olympics in 2004. The final torchbearer in Greece will be Greek pole vault champion Maria Christophelou, who will then hand over the torch to the Tokyo organizing team.
Georgiou expressed pride in the selection of these two outstanding athletes, emphasizing that this historic relay marks a significant step forward for female representation in the Olympics. He stated, “Sofia has brought honor to our nation not just with her Rio medals but also through her achievements since then. I’m equally thrilled for Maria, another extraordinary athlete who continues to shine.”
The relay will span eight days through various locations in Greece before culminating in a handover ceremony at Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium. From Greece, the flame will journey across all 47 prefectures in Japan, eventually arriving at Tokyo’s National Stadium to ignite the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony on July 24. It’s about time for this incredible shift!
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In summary, the upcoming 2020 Olympic Torch Relay will make history as it begins with a female athlete, Sofia Dimitriou, setting a new precedent for the Games. This event not only honors the legacy of the Olympics but also showcases the achievements of female athletes on a grand stage.