The strong messages for peace, brotherhood and solidarity evoked by, for example, the visit to the sacred rock of Acropolis remains as timeless and poignant as ever in this Ancient Olympic homeland.

Despite the tough economic and political times that Greece is now facing, the significance of both the Relay and the Olympic message has indeed shone through as crowds poured have onto the streets to witness its every passing.

Not even torrential rain and flooding on Tuesday (October 1) could dampen the spirits.

The Olympic Flame enjoyed a successful six day meander around Greece ahead of the passing of the baton, or rather the Torch, to Sochi


The journey began immediately after the Flame Lighting Ceremony last Sunday (September 29) in Olympia with a tour around Peloponnese where carriers included Beijing 2008 water-polo player Angeliki Gerolymou and London 2012 swimmer Nora Drakou.

The Flame then crossed the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, the world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge which is said to unite Western Greece in the same way that the sacred light of Olympism unites the people of the world.

The subsequent welcome at nearby Messolonghi was another highlight due the large numbers of vocal schoolchildren present.

This youthful presence, as well as the symbolism of traditional settings, such as the Ancient Theatre in Larissa, and also the participation of sporting stars, including one Sochi 2014 hopeful in cross country skier Dimitris Kyriazis, continued on Tuesday.

At this juncture the heavy rain did create a challenge but, despite power outages and some flooding of stores and homes, it continued on its path with only minor disruption.

After passing through Thessaloniki, another city steeped in Olympic history and where the Flame was lit at the Olympic Museum, ceremonies were held in several towns in the Macedonia region, including an overnight stay at a local school.

With citizens continuing to crowd the streets the Flame then wound its way here to the Greek capital and its final night stop at the Acropolis provides the perfect farewell ahead of tomorrow's Handover.

Hellenic Olympic Committee secretary general Manolis Katsiadakis lights the cauldron in Acropolis on the final evening of the Greek leg of the Torch Relay



The Handover Ceremony is due to take place in the early evening tomorrow in front of guests including the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Kazak.

As in Olympia last week the High Priestesses will conduct a ceremonial dance. before the Flame is passed to Sochi 2014 at approximately 6pm local time and then transferred to Russia, where it will begin its 65,000 kilometre journey around the world's biggest country in Red Square in Moscow.