After a choreography by dancers and actors in the roles of Ancient Greek priestesses and male youth, Greek actress Mary Mina acting as an ancient Greek High Priestess, lit a torch from the cauldron.

She passed it to Capralos who then handed the Flame to Estanguet.

"Thank you. See you in Marseille in May 8th," Estanguet said speaking in Greek.

At the end of the ceremony, the flame was transported to Piraeus port to head for the port of Marseille on board Belem, a three-masted vessel that was launched in 1896. Belem was scheduled to depart on Saturday for France for the second part of the relay that will end in Paris for the opening ceremony of July 26.