everyone knows the Olympics originated in ancient Greece but the torch lighting tradition has even more history behind it than you may have realized the lighting of the torch that takes place in the temple of Hera and is delivered via relay race to the host country stadium is meant to reflect the myth where the Titan Prometheus stole fire from Olympus and delivered it to mankind fortunately though these torch Bears don't end up chained to a rock in the mountains and have their livers devoured by an eagle on a daily basis the tradition is even deeper than
that though because the sacred flame is lit using the power of Apollo sunlight and a parabolic mirror this is exactly how it was done in ancient times only back then the flame was lit at the altar of the sanctuary of hesa intended to by her Vestal virgins additional Flames were lit in honor of Zeus and Hera though since the whole reason the games were created was to honor the king and queen of the Olympians
