The Olympic torch for this year's London Games was lit Thursday in Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.
2012 London Olympic Games Torch Lit in Greece

1
An actress portraying a priestess, right, holds a pot with the Olympic flame during the lighting of the flame ceremony at the site of ancient Olympia, Greece, May 10, 2012.

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Actresses, playing the role of priestesses, take part in the torch lighting ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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Spyridon Gianniotis, Greece's world champion of swimming, runs with the Olympic flame and an olive branch during the Olympic torch relay.

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Second Olympic Torch bearer, Alex Loukos from Great Britain, right, receives the Olympic torch from Spyros Gianniotis, left.