The series started with a torch relay during the National Run Devín - Bratislava. The country's Olympians, Paralympians, young athletes, employees of the National Olympic Committee of Slovakia (SOSC), partners of the Slovak Olympic team, members of regional Olympic clubs, the Slovak Olympic Academy and the Fair Play Club of the SOSC gathered in the capital to take part.

The torch made its way from Devín Castle in the hands of Olympic champions Matej Tóth and Elena Kaliská - passing through the hands of many famous Olympians such as Jana Dukátová, Milan Dvorščík, Mária Mračnová, Jana Stašová, Pavol Blažek or Miroslav Luberda -  to the centre of Bratislava, where it was carried by another Olympic great, Zuzana Rehák Štefečeková.

"The runners and the relay will promote the positive emotions of physical activity and spread Olympism everywhere. At the same time, the relay will remind everyone that the Olympic Games are just around the corner," said Matej Tóth, Olympic race walking champion from Rio de Janeiro 2016.

The Paralympic family was represented by Henrieta Farkašová, the most successful Slovak Paralympian of all time, and Ladislav Gáspár, Paralympian of the decade 1994-2004 and Paralympic champion. Ski jumper Hektor Kapustík and climber Martina Buršíková represented the Junior Olympic team.

"This is also our way of reminding everyone in Slovakia of the importance of sport and that's why not only top athletes are taking part in the campaign. Various events will be organised for all age groups. We believe that the relay and the 'Our Colours, Our Hearts' campaign will reach tens of thousands of people," said Jozef Liba, Secretary General of NOC Slovakia.

Relay ambassadors Matej Tóth and Elena Kaliská handed over the torch to representatives of 25 regional Olympic clubs in Bratislava. The clubs will organise or co-organise events as part of the "Our Colours, Our Hearts" campaign with local authorities, schools, sports clubs and senior citizens' clubs in their regions. 

"All the torchbearers we sent to the regions will meet again at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Festival in Bratislava," said Elena Kaliska, two-time Olympic champion from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

For 18 days, this place will embody the Olympic atmosphere; a symbolic bridge between Paris and Bratislava during the Olympic Games with live broadcasts from Paris on big screens. Individual visitors as well as families, schools, and other organisations will have the opportunity to enjoy various sporting, cultural, fun and educational activities.