Athens, March 25th - At the exact moment of noon local time in Athens (18:00 Beijing Time), the solemn and grand ceremony for collecting the Olympic flame took place at the Hera Temple in Ancient Olympia. Maria Nafpliotou, who was entrusted with the significant role of the high priestess, surrounded by a group of pure white-clad young maidens, lit the torch in her hand using the fire kindled through a focusing mirror. She then solemnly passed it to Kitesioudis, Greece's renowned javelin athlete.