Olympia (pps)), The Olympic flame for the Winter Games in Turin (February 10-16, 2006) is burning since last Sunday (November 27, 2005). The Greek actress Theodora Siarkou ignited the torch on Sunday at the sacred grove of Ancient Olympia. However this time, because of bad weather, the flame could not be lit with just the help of a mirror and sun’s rays according to historical tradition but instead was ignited with the help of a torch.

As first torchbearer, the Greek pole-vaulter Kostas Filippidis took over the flame which will first cover 2,006 Kilometer throughout Greece’s winter sport venues until December 6th. As of December 8th, the torch will cover more than 11,000 Kilometer from Rome right across Italy and will be carried by a total of 10,001 persons among them soccer star Francesco Totti (AS Rom) and four-time Olympic champion in walking Robert Korzenowski from Poland. The first torchbearer in Italy will be Olympic champion in marathon Stefano Baldini.