Handover Ceremony

An emblematic stadium for the Olympic Games

The Panathenaic Stadium is the place where Pierre de Coubertin's ambition was realised. It is a strong symbol of the continuity of Greek traditions from ancient to modern times.

Athens and the Panathenaic Stadium embody the return to the roots of Olympism. This stadium is therefore the ideal setting for the handover ceremony, symbolising the passage of the Olympic flame from its birthplace to the host country of the Olympic Games, and thus the perpetuation of the ideals that Pierre de Coubertin wanted to revive.

The spark of the flame connects us all to the history and tradition of the ancient Olympic Games, and during this ceremony in the Panathenaic Stadium it will be entrusted to the country that will host the Games, accompanied by the wishes of the Greek people for the success of the greatest sporting event in the world.

The handover ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics

This ceremony marks the end of the relay in Greece. The Panathenaic Stadium cauldron is lit by the last torchbearer.

The high priestess uses the flames of the cauldron to light a final torch and passes it to the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Capralos, who in turn hands it to the Organising Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This gesture marks the culmination of the 11-day relay across Greece and, at the same time, the beginning of the countdown to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 26 July 2024.