Stefanos Ntouskos will kickstart the 2024 edition of a tradition that dates back to ancient Greece.
The Greek Olympic rowing champion will be the first torch relay torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ntouskos will be the first one to carry a torch following the Olympic Flame lighting ceremony, which will take place at the ancient Olympic stadium in Olympia, Greece, on April 16. From there until April 26, about 600 torchbearers will take turns during the Greek portion of the relay with Ioannis Fountoulis as the country's final torchbearer.
The torch will then make its way across the Mediterranean Sea in the Belem, a three-masted ship, to the Old Port of Marseille to commence the French portion of the relay.
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Ntouskos was one of two Greek athletes to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The 26-year-old came out in single skulls, making him his country's first Olympic rowing champion.
The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will be held on July 26.
