Greek javelin champion Costas Gatzioudis (L), gives the Olympic flame to Russian Swimming Olympic Champion Alexander Popov in Ancient Olympia, 25 March 2004. Gatzioudis was the first torch bearer in the relay for the Athens Games. More than 11,000 torchbearers will carry the flame in Greece and around the world. More than 3,600 will take part in the international portion of its journey, which includes 27 countries and covers a total of about 78,000 kilometers (48,500 miles).
