The flame which will be used for the London 2012 torch relay and Olympic Games has been lit during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece. The flame was kindled by a high priestess who captured the morning sun's rays in a parabolic mirror.The ceremony came amid political and economic turmoil in Greece, the home of the Ancient Olympics, where a week-long leg of the relay will be held.The flame flies to Britain on 18 May for a 70-day relay around the UK.The lighting ceremony took place in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera, next to the ancient stadium.Actresses playing Olympic priestesses danced and men dressed as heralds put on a display symbolising athletic strength.'High priestess' Ino Menegaki then lit the flame in the bowl-shaped mirror and used it to light a Greek Olympic torch.The flame – an Olympic symbol meant to represent purity because it comes from the sun – was then placed in an urn and taken to the stadium where the ancient Olympic Games were staged.