Wikipedia:Today's featured article/July 4, 2004

The flame for the 2002 Winter Olympics

The Olympic Flame is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Its origins lie in ancient Greece, when a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the Olympics in 1928, and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games ever since. The Olympic Flame is nowadays ignited several months before the opening celebration of the Olympic Games at the site of the ancient Olympics, Olympia, Greece. Eleven priestesses (played by actresses) light the fire with a parabolic mirror which concentrates rays from the Sun. The torch is then transported to the host city of the upcoming Olympics by means of a torch relay. Traditionally, the fire is carried on foot, but other means of transportation have been used as well. (more...)

Recently featured: Eureka Stockade – GNU/Linux naming controversy – Blackjack