 | |
| Host city | Sochi, Russia |
|---|---|
| Countries visited | Greece, Russia |
| Distance | 65,000 km |
| Torch bearers | ~15,000 |
| Start date | 7 October 2013 |
| End date | 7 February 2014 |
The 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay was run from October 7, 2013, 123 days prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, until February 7, 2014, the day of the opening ceremony at Sochi. In Russia the relay traveled from Moscow to Sochi through 2,900 towns and villages across all 83 federal subjects of Russia by foot, car, train, plane, and troika for over 65,000 km of journey.[1] The event became the longest relay in Winter Olympics history.[2]
The lighting ceremony was held on September 29, 2013, at Olympia, Greece with Greek alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou as the relay originating torchbearer.[3] The first Russian torchbearer was NHL star Alex Ovechkin, who received the torch from Antoniou in Olympia.[4]
- ^ "Russia unveils torch relay route of 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics". English.news.cn. October 8, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "Sochi 2014 Torch Relay to be longest in Winter Games history". Olympic.org. October 8, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "First Torchbearer announced for Sochi 2014 Torch Relay". Olympic.org. September 20, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
- ^ "Alex Ovechkin excited to carry torch". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 29, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.