The Olympic torch for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games was unveiled Wednesday by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.
Reports say the torch, made of metal and wood, features an oval design inspired by the leaf of an olive tree, a symbol of peace, commonplace in the Greek countryside. Wreaths made from its leaves were given as prizes to champions in the ancient Olympics.
Athens Organizing Committee head Gianna Angelopoulos said, “we were inspired by the way this torch will reflect the spirit of Greece along with the values of peace and hope to every place it will travel”.
Andreas Varotsos, designer of the torch said, “the torch had to include as many aspects of Greek culture as possible and the olive tree contains all of Greece.
