Olympic torch for Rio games lit at ancient Greek site Published duration 21 April 2016

media caption The flame was lit by the sun's rays during a ceremony

The flame for the Olympic Games in Brazil has been lit in southern Greece.

An actor performing the role of high priestess lit the torch by using the sun's rays.

The torch will be taken by various runners on an international relay that will culminate at the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on 5 August.

The ritual was established 80 years ago for the Berlin Games, based on a ceremony in Ancient Olympia where games were held for more than 1,000 years.

Actor Katerina Lehou, who lit the torch, offered a mock prayer to Apollo, the old Greek god of light and music, at Thursday's ceremony.

Wearing a long pleated robe, she knelt solemnly to the ground and lit the torch within a few seconds by using a concave mirror to catch the sunlight.

image copyright Reuters image caption The flame was passed on by Ms Lehou to Greek gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias

image copyright Reuters image caption The flame lighting ceremony was accompanied by choreography from priestesses

image copyright Reuters image caption Thursday's ceremony marks the 80th anniversary of the torch relay

image copyright AP image caption The relay, which did not exist in the ancient Greek Olympics, was introduced by the Nazi organisers of the 1936 Berlin Games

She then delivered the flame to Greek world gymnastics champion Eleftherios Petrounias, the first runner in a torch relay that will conclude at the opening ceremony in Rio's Maracana Stadium.

The chief organiser of the Games, Carlos Nuzman, promised to "deliver history". He said the Olympics would unite Brazil, which is beset by political and economic crises.

"[The torch lighting] brings a message that can and will unite our dear Brazil, a country that is suffering much more than it deserves in its quest for a brighter future," he said in his speech.

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff was forced to cancel her trip to ancient Olympia because of the impeachment threat she faces

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said the flame was "a timeless reminder that we are all part of the same humanity" despite the difficulties that Brazil is facing.

"Rio de Janeiro... will provide a spectacle to showcase the best of the human spirit. In just a few weeks the Brazilian people will enthusiastically welcome the world and amaze us with their joy of life and their passion for sport," he said.

Before the flame arrives in South America it will begin a six-day relay across Greece, passing through the town of Marathon - which gave its name to the long distance race - as well as a camp for refugees and migrants in Athens, the International Olympic Committee has said.

The flame is due to arrive in Brazil on 3 May for a relay across the country, travelling through hundreds of cities and villages in every Brazilian state.

It will be carried by about 12,000 torch bearers.