Olympic flame for Tokyo 2020 provides beacon of hope following lighting cermony in Ancient Olympia.

KARACHI -- The Olympic flame for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was lit today in Ancient Olympia, Greece. This marks the start of its journey to Japan where, in only 134 days, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad will begin. As a symbol of peace and hope, the Olympic Flame will now travel on towards Tokyo, conveying the Olympic Values. The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach and several guests joined the lighting ceremony, showing their unified support for the Games. These included the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopios Pavlopoulos, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee acting President,

Toshiaki Endo, IOC Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission Chair John Coates and Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos. 'This ceremony demonstrates once more our commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Nineteen weeks before the Opening Ceremony, we are strengthened in this commitment by the many authorities and sports organisations around the world which are taking so many significant measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus,' said IOC President Thomas Bach. 'At the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 we will stand together, united in all our diversity. We will be united by our commitment to the Olympic values. We will be united by our emotions. This makes each and every one of us a member of this unique Olympic community. This Olympic community will show the entire world that our shared humanity is stronger than all the forces that want to divide us,' he added. In his speech during the Olympic flame-lighting ceremony, President Bach also praised the Organising Committee: 'Our Japanese friends are interpreting the noble mission of the Olympic Games in an outstanding way. Japan will demonstrate its groundbreaking innovation and boundless creative energy with regard to sustainability, technology and humancentred growth,' said the IOC President. Tokyo 2020 Organising

Committee acting President Toshiaki Endo said: 'The Olympic Torch...