Celebrate with Rethymno, Welcoming the Olympic Flame!
On April 18, we will welcome the Olympic Flame to our city on its way to Paris.
The Olympic Flame is an important symbol.
It stands for friendship and unity between people all over the world.
The flame will begin its journey in ancient Olympia in Greece.
After its visit to Rethymno, it will continue its journey to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
At 16:00, some impressive athletes from Rethymno will help celebrate the arrival of the flame.
They will carry the flame through our streets, starting from Sofokli Venizelou - Velouchioti near Hotel Steris.
The flame will then move towards the Marina and the Old Port.
We will celebrate the Olympic torch runners, and great athletes from Rethymno such as former basketball player Dimitris Kokolakis, former track and field athlete Andreas Benakis, weightlifter Chrisi Lioni, para-athlete Panagiotis Manousakas and swimmer Andreas Zissimo, who represented Rethymno at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
Their achievements make us proud.
Ceremony for the Lighting of the Olympic Flame. To be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Marina of Rethymno.
The Program for the Ceremony is as follows:
The arrival of officials at the Rethymno Marina at 3:45 pm
Start time: 4:00 pm
The 1st torchbearer will receive the Flame at 4:04 pm, at a selected spot on Sof. Venizelou Avenue (near Steris Hotel)
Torchbearers will exchange at 3 other spots until reaching the Rethymno Marina
The Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony begins at 4:20 pm at the Rethymno Marina, with representatives from the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, local authorities, and citizens present.
Olympic Anthem / National Anthems of France and Greece will be played
Raising of flags: Olympic, French and Greek
Speeches: Mayor of Rethymno, Representative of Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, Representative of Hellenic Olympic Committee
Exchange of commemorative gifts - cultural program
At 5:10 pm, three Rethymnian torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame in succession to the Venetian Harbor for it to continue its journey to Chania.
