The torch of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 was lit at the ancient Olympia on Thursday amid stringent health guidelines due to the first death in Greece due to coronavirus. The audience was restricted in this ceremony. The traditional ceremony took place before the Temple of Hera ruins in ancient Olympia, where an actress playing the role of a pagan priestess lit a torch using sun rays. With this, a week-long torch relay started in Greece. The torch will be handed over to the organizers of the Tokyo Olympics on 19 March.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said, "The Olympic torch's journey to Japan has begun. When this torch returns to Tokyo, it is hoped that it will light up the entire country."

Many sports are affected around the world due to the coronavirus and there are fears that the Olympic Games will be held between July 24 and August 9 as per their schedule or not. The organizers said that the games would be as per the predetermined function and the IOC said that the postponement of the games had not been discussed yet.