International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has laid a wreath at the memorial to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Modern Olympics, in a simple ceremony amongst the olive groves here this evening.
It has become a tradition of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony that the IOC President should visit the monument which contains Coubertin’s heart.
Bach was joined by Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman and IOC vice-presidents, Morocco's Nawal El Moutawakel and China's Zaiqing Yu.
Katerina Lehou, the priestess who will kindle the Olympic flame tomorrow and her fellow priestesses were also on hand, as choreographer Artemis Ignatiou planted an olive tree in memory of Maria Hors, the long-time director of the flame ceremony.
“I hope she is looking down right now and is proud of us,” said Ignatiou.