MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The Olympic flame began its journey in Athens, Greece during a special ceremony.</s>KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As Anthi Kurasavar reports, the Olympic fire received a traditional send-off before it began the long trek to Australia.</s>ANTHI KURASAVAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Olympic hymns and the sound of trumpets echoed through the Athens all marble stadium, home of the first modern Olympiad. Priestesses blessed the grounds with olive branches and a torch bearer dashed before an audience of dignitaries to watch Australian officials take over the sacred Olympic flame. Lit from the sun's rays two weeks ago, the flame has journeyed across Greece by boat, car and some 600 torch bearers, among them, Foreign Minister George Pappandreas (ph), who ran 300 yards in honor of another Olympic custom, the cessation of wars and conflicts during the course of the Olympic games. Paying tribute to the ancient sporting tradition, Sydney organizers promised to guard the flame with great care.</s>CHRIS HODGER, SYDNEY ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: This ancient land gave us the light of culture and democracy. It now gives us the fire of the Olympics.</s>KURASAVAR: Carried off in a special lantern, the flame set off for Guam, the first of 12 South Pacific nations which it will tour. It will then cross the International Date Line twice before reaching central Australia 100 days before the start of the Sydney games in mid-September. The flame's 17,000 mile marathon will also feature a unique underwater journey. But it will not be sent into space as organizers initially intended. For Athens, host city of the 2004 games, the ceremonious start of the Sydney Olympics marks a more pressing concern as Olympic officials warn Athens has until the end of the year to put its lagging preparations in order or else. Anthi Kurasavar for CNN, Athens.
Olympic Torch Begins Journey to Australia