The flame, meant to represent purity, was kindled from the rays of the sun using a parabolic mirror in a ceremony on 10 May at Olympia, the home of the ancient Olympic Games.

BBC: Olympic torch: Huge crowds turn out to cheer flame

When the Ancient Games were revived as the Modern Olympic Games in Athens 1896, local hero Spiridon Louis won the marathon -- as he should have -- to bring his country international recognition and fame.

CNN: China takes the Olympic limelight

"The removal from the Olympic program of traditional forms of sports, which were its basis from the beginning and were in the program of the Olympic Games even in the time of ancient Greece ... is unjustified, " Russian president Vladimir Putin said in March.

WSJ: US, Russia and Iran to wrestle in New York

Just outside the entrance to the ancient stadium in Olympia the site of the first Olympic Games in 776 B.

WSJ: London Olympics 2012: For Disgraced Athletes, the Wrath of Zeus

Performance and pressure have been the hallmark of the Olympic Games, going all the way back to ancient times.

FORBES: What the London Olympics Can Teach CEOs about Combating Pressure

Mr Rogge said that like the messengers in ancient times who shared news of the Olympic truce - the laying down of arms for the Games - "the torchbearers who carry this flame to London will spread the message of sport's capacity to promote peace and to make our world a better place".

BBC: London 2012: Olympic Games flame lit in Greece