Olympic flame passes through Western Thrace
The "Olympic Flame", which set off from Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, passed through Western Thrace today (Monday 22 April).
The Olympic Flame was welcomed by a large number of people gathered in the town square in Xanthi. During the welcoming ceremony, the Olympic Anthem, the national anthem of the host France and the national anthem of Greece were performed.
After Xanthi, the Olympic Flame was brought to Komotini. The "Olympic Flame" was delivered by the champion athlete Kostas Baniotis to the ceremony in front of the Municipality of Komotini. Here the Olympic Anthem, the national anthem of France, the host of the Olympics and finally the national anthem of Greece were sung. Then the Mayor of Komotini Yannis Garanis, the Consul General of France in Thessaloniki Jean-Luc Lavaud and the representative of the Hellenic Olympic Commission Thanasis Vasiliadis made welcoming speeches.
After the completion of the ceremony, the "Olympic Flame" was set off to be taken to Alexandroupoli. Harun Molla, a cyclist from Komotini, took over the flame in front of the Municipality of Komotini.
