Beijing Olympics torch lit, relay starts

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (Reuters) - The Beijing 2008 Olympic torch was lit on Monday in ancient Olympia, marking the start of a five-month domestic and international torch relay that will end on Aug. 8 with the Games' opening ceremony.

On an overcast day inside the archaeological site, that played host to the Olympics in ancient Greece, the actress Maria Nafpliotou playing the high priestess used a break in the clouds to light the torch in front of the Temple of Hera.

Greek athlete Alexandros Nikolaidis, an Athens 2004 Games taekwondo silver medallist, will be the first torchbearer starting a six-day Greek relay before the flame is handed over to the Chinese on March 30.

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