On March 30, 2004 I was honoured to become an Olympic Torch Bearer. The Olympic Flame started its long journey in Ancient Olympia on March 25, 2004 and will travel around the five continents before returning to Athens for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in August 13, 2004.

Being very skeptical about the organisation of Olympic Games in Athens, I finally decided to participate because the first part of the Olympic Torch Relay, from Ancient Olympia to Athens (7 days), was organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee - as always happens - and not by the "Athens 2004" Organising Committee. Each Olympic Torch Bearer ran 500 meters before passing the flame to the next one; my part was in the village of Ancient Nemea, covering 500 of the last 1500 meters to the Ancient Stadium of Nemea, where the altar was lit by the last bearer, the legendary Valery Borzov.

These pictures were shot by George Fatseas, who deserves all the credits for the photography. As spectators were not allowed to follow the bearer, it is understood that only the end of my run with the Flame was covered.

(UPDATE: One more picture has been added, shot by the professional photographer Argiris Makris who was assigned to cover the Olympic Torch Relay.)