The Beijing Olympic flame was ignited in a traditional sun-ray ceremony at 11:45 (local time) on Monday in front of the Hera Temple of ancient Olympia. [
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Dark clouds over the lighting rehearsal parted as a flawless torch lighting ceremony was held to start an unprecedented torch relay in Greece, across five continents and China.
Athens Olympic champion swimmer Luo Xuejuan of China took the Olympic torch from Greek taekwondo athlete Alexandros Nikolaidis in ancient Olympia on Monday.
The High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou lit the flame out of a concave mirror. Then the flame was carried in a replica of ancient urn to the ancient Olympia stadium where it was to kindle the first Olympic torch.