The IOC Executive Board unanimously approved today the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay route. An Olympic Torch Relay route that, for the first time ever, will bring the torch to Africa and South America, thus including every continent in its call to the 2004 Olympic Games.
Lit by the sun’s rays in the ancient Greek city of Olympia in May 2004, the torch will carry the Olympic flame to each of the five continents represented by the Olympic rings, celebrating the values of the 2004 Olympic Games: peace, participation, our shared Olympic heritage, and the human scale of the Athens Games.
The torch will travel the world for 35 days, visiting 27 cities before returning to Greece for the final segment of its route. On 13 August 2004, the torch’s journey will culminate in the lighting of the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium of Athens, and the commencement of the XXVIII Olympiad.
The Olympic Torch Relay route will include every city that has ever hosted an Olympic Summer Games, and the Host City of the 2008 Summer Games, Beijing as well as Cairo, Cape Town, Rio De Janeiro, New York City, Lausanne and Nicosia. The criteria for the selection of the additional cities were their geographic location, adequate infrastructure, cultural and regional significance, the mobilization of participating National Olympic Committee and local authorities, and the approval of the International Olympic Committee. As the programme develops, a limited number of cities might be added, based on the same criteria. Details of the Greek section of the route are being finalized and will be announced soon.
ATHENS 2004’s unique International Torch Relay route was greeted enthusiastically by the IOC on the basis of its global outlook, and attention to history and culture. ATHENS 2004 will continue to work with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Olympic Truce Foundation and local authorities to use available resources to maximize the impact of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.
ATHENS 2004 estimates that 10,000 torchbearers from around the world will cover the route: 3,500 during the international section and 6,500 within Greece. On average, each bearer will carry the torch 300-500 metres.
The ATHENS 2004 Torch Relay is sponsored by a number of companies that share the Olympic spirit and ideals. The Coca Cola Company has been selected as the Presenting Partner of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. The company’s 75-year heritage with the Olympic Games — and ability to connect with people all over the world — will help us enhance the experience of the Olympic Torch Relay ATHENS 2004 for everyone.
Samsung, Eurosport and GEFYRA SA are official supporters of the programme. The sponsoring programme of the ATHENS 2004 Torch Relay thus far amounts to $19 million.
ATHENS 2004 will work closely with the NOCs, the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Olympic Truce Foundation, local authorities and embassies around the world to promote the relay and the ideals it embodies. The warm Greek sun gave birth to the Olympic flame and to the messages it carries; for the first time ever, the Olympic torch will carry that flame and those messages to the entire world.
For more information contact:
ATHOC
International Media Desk
T: +30 1 2004 002
F: +30 1 2004 003
E: mediadesk@athens2004.gr
www.athens2004.com