Photos: Olympic torch lighting ceremonies
09 OLYMPIC FLAME AT SEOUL
Credit: Getty Images
1988: The Olympic flame burns brightly as the Olympic flag waves behind it during the opening ceremony of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. The Olympic flame was part of the ancient Games, burning on the altar of the Goddess Hera. Carl Diem, one of the organisers of the XIth Games in Berlin, introduced the torch relay, starting amidst the ruins of Olympia, where the flame was ignited by the rays of the sun in a re-enactment of an ancient ritual, and then carried across countries to reach the Olympic city on the eve of the Games. Every celebration of the Games since has had a torch relay as part of the promotion of the event. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK/Allsport
