He is set to receive the Flame from Greek Alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou, in the first exchange of the Relay.

This symbolic moment, known as a "kiss" takes place outside the Coubertin Grove, a tree lined avenue leading to a memorial which honours Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the renovator of the Modern Games. 

Li, a former double world champion, won five Olympic medals in a career stretching from Lillehammer 1994 to Torino 2006. 

He was also part of the group which lit the Flame at the Asian Winter Games in 2007.

He will carry the 2018 Olympic Flame a short distance along the road above the archaeological site in a symbolic Relay which will end at the bridge over the River Kladeos, a short distance from the Village of Olympia.

From there it will be taken directly to Athens.

Earlier today performers in the Flame Lighting Ceremony were forced to contend with heavy showers to complete their penultimate rehearsal for the event on Monday (October 18) in the Ancient Stadium.

On a day when weather fluctuated between bright sunlight and heavy storms, the cast went through their routines on the hillside above the Ancient Stadium. They were directed by choreographer Artemis Ignatiou, alongside Yiannis Psimadas, composer of the music for the Ceremony.

The High Priestess Xanthi Georgiou and a retinue of 25 priestesses will be joined by 12 Kouroi, representing the young men in the final dress rehearsal in full costume tomorrow.

The costumes are again the work of internationally acclaimed Eleni Kyriacou who first became involved with the design at the Rio 2016 Lighting Ceremony.

Monday will also mark an involvement of 30 years for Master of Ceremonies Alexis Kostalas.

A renowned broadcaster known affectionately in Greece as "The Voice", Kostalas has provided the multilingual narration of this Ceremony since 1992.