MOSCOW -- Russian gymnastics champion Svetlana Khorkina on Monday hailed the emblazing and world tour of the Olympic flame, saying the summer game slated for August in Chinese Capital Beijing is a "long-awaited holiday."
"This is a wonderful day for all athletes, spectators and sport fans around the world that signifies the start of the 'world tour' of the Olympic flame," Itar-Tass news agency quoted Khorkina, also a member of the State Duma, lower house of the parliament.
The Beijing Olympic flame was ignited in a traditional sun-ray ceremony at 11:45 local time (0945 GMT) on Monday in front of the Hera Temple of ancient Olympia, Greece.
The torch will be relayed in Greece for six days and then taken to Beijing to kick off its five-month world tour.
The Olympic movement can reconcile warring factions amidst growing international tensions, outbreaks of separatism and military conflicts, Khorkina said.
"Olympic Games are an important factor, an indicator of the national spirit and the prestige of the country," she said, adding that she will go to the Games as a guest and a television channel commentator.
