The Olympic Games' torch is kindled by the sun's rays at the site of ancient Olympia, starting the countdown to this summer's London games.<br/> <br />The ceremonial lighting sparks a relay that will continue until the same flame lights the Olympic stadium's cauldron during the opening ceremonies on July 27.<br/> <br />The relay's first torchbearer, Spyros Gianniotis, a Greek swimmer who won the gold medal in the 10km open water event in the 2011 world championships, started the seven-day leg of the relay through Greece.<br/> <br />The flame will be delivered to the London organisers on May 17 and flown to Britain a day later.<br/> <br />Several thousand spectators also watched the ceremony from the grassy slopes hugging the ancient sports arena.<br/> <br />The British leg of the relay will travel 12,800 km around the country before finishing inside the Olympic stadium.<br/> <br />London, also the host of the 1948 games, will be the only city ever to twice receive the Olympic flame.<br/> <br />Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
