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The relay will end at the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony with the lighting of the cauldron. The games will run through Aug. 12. It's the second time London officials have come to Ancient Olympia for a flame lighting. London also received the flame before the 1948 Olympics. "In 1948, shortly after the Second World War, my predecessor stood where I am today and made the first tentative steps in turning the world from war to sport," London organizing committee chief Sebastian Coe said. "We find ourselves in challenging times again and turn to sport once more to connect the world in a global celebration of achievement and inspiration." Also attending the ceremony was International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge. "With this ceremony, we begin the final countdown to a dream that came to life seven years ago in Singapore," he said, referring to the city where London beat Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow to secure the games in 2005. "London is ready to welcome the world for the third time." This was the final lighting ceremony Rogge will attend as IOC president. He will step down in 2013, at the end of his third four-year term. On Wednesday, Rogge was made an honorary citizen of Ancient Olympia, in a ceremony that also marked the reopening of the museum of Ancient Olympia.
[Associated
Press;
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