The Olympic flame is a symbol of the Olympic Games, commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus.

Its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics.

The fire was introduced at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games ever since.

The flame is now traditionally lit at Mount Olympus and then relayed around the globe, before being used to light the main flame of the games before the next Games commence. Look out for it tonight in Rio.

I took this picture in Athens in 2003 prior to the Games there in 2004. The sprig of olive tree that you can see in the picture is a symbol of victory as well as peace and is given to every medallist in the Games.