Let the Games Begin!

The torch is being lit by the High Priestess at the Temple of Hera. The fire is started with the sun's rays and the special shaped mirror that you see here.

We kicked of learning about the Winter Olympics today by learning about the Olympic torch. We watched part of a video showing the Olympic torch ceremony in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Wow, we learned so much. Did you know that the torch is lit using rays from the sun that shine on to a parabolic mirror? Ask your child about it! At the Temple of Hera, the flame is put into a bowl and taken to a place where the torch from Greece is lit by the High Priestess of the torch ceremony. She then takes the Greek torch to meet the first torch bearer and lights his torch. The torch bearer is an 18 year old Greek alpine skier. That begins the torch relay that will end at the opening ceremony where the cauldron will be lit! We're so excited about our Skype session that is scheduled for Friday. We will be Skyping with someone that was a torch bearer for the 2012 Summer Games. He's going to show us his torch and tell us all about his experience!

This is the High Priestess of
the ceremony. 

She is lighting the Greek torch
 from the clay bowl. This torch
will be taken to the first
 torch bearer.