Olympics torch relay to pass through Delhi

For the first time since the modern Olympics began in 1896, the Games' torch relay will pass through India before finishing at Athens, Greece, in August 2004.

The Olympics flame will arrive in Delhi on June 10, 2004, and cover a distance of 40 kilometres through the city, a statement from the Lieutenant Governor's secretariat in New Delhi said on Tuesday.

The torch relay is likely to start from the Qutub Minar and proceed to Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, where it will culminate. It will last six to eight hours and involve about a 100 individual torch bearers and athletes.

The representatives of Athens Olympic Organising Committee recently briefed the task force about the torch relay function, the statement said.

LG Vijai Kapoor reviewed the arrangements for the relay at the task force meeting, also attended by Delhi Chief Secretary Shailaja Chandra and Commissioner of Police R S Gupta.

After the lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece, the torch will pass through more than 25 nations covering 30 cities.

In Asia, apart from Delhi, the torch will travel to three more capital cities -- Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

The Olympics begin on August 13, 2004.