The programme of the Lighting Ceremony for the Rio Olympics

The programme of the Lighting Ceremony for Rio Olympics on the 21st of April in Ancient Olympia:

12:00 - Opening of the Ceremony
- Olympic Circles: a synthesis
12:07 - Olympic Anthem – Hoisting of the Olympic Flag
- National Anthem of Brazil – Hoisting of the Brazilian Flag
12:11 - National Anthem of Greece – Hoisting of the Greek Flag
- “The Light of Olympia”, Takis Doxas’ poem recited by Yiannis Stankoglou
- Address by the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Efthymios Kotzas
- Address by the President of the “RIO 2016” Organising Committee, Mr Carlos Nuzman
- Address by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Thomas Bach
12:23 - Address by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr Spyros Capralos
12:26 - Entry of the designated officials in the Temple of Hera
12:32 - Ritual of the Lighting Ceremony at the Temple of Hera
- Entry of the High Priestess and the Priestesses into the Ancient Stadium with the Olympic Flame
- Dance performance by the Priestesses
12:50 - Handing over of the Olympic Flame by the High Priestess to the first Torchbearer
- Departure of the first Torchbearer for the Pierre de Coubertin Monument
- Opening of the Olympic Torch Relay