There are less than 100 days to go until the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Yesterday was a historic day when the Olympic Torch was lit, by rays of the sun in ancient Olympia in Greece. This is the place where the first ancient Olympic Games were held in 1896.

Less than 100 days to go

Following the torch being lit, the Olympic Games Torch Relay event commenced.

WATCH: The Ceremony

This will see the flame being carried for over 3,000 kilometres through Greece, as it makes its way to France.

It is expected to reach the French capital, Paris at the end of July, just in time for the start of the Olympic Games.

Olympic Games Torch Relay Through Greece

The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and IOC member Spyros Capralos said, “The Olympic flame will begin its journey to Paris, and to the first Olympic Games in Europe after 12 years, to spread the great vision of peace and brotherhood of peoples.”

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and Team SA, have also joined in the 100-day countdown to the Olympics. SASCOC says the recent African Games in Accra provided a platform for many of our TeamSA athletes to secure Olympic qualifications.

He added, “This message of the Olympic light is again very timely and should be sent everywhere on the planet, as we live in turbulent times with war conflicts having broken out in different parts of the planet, but also with the fear of terrorism being visible again.”

Federations like swimming and athletics are currently utilising their National Championships as crucial opportunities to qualify. Last week swimming held their Nationals in Gqeberha and athletics starts their Nationals in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.

With nearly 90 athletes from 13 different sporting codes already meeting Olympic qualifying criteria, the momentum is building for the 2024 Paris Games.

Capralos elaborated, “Let’s not forget that in ancient times, wars between cities were temporarily stopped during the Olympic Games with the implementation of the Olympic Truce.”

Sports qualifying or with representative qualification for Paris 2024 from Team SA include athletics, sport climbing, cycling (road and MTB), canoeing, diving, equestrian, gymnastics, hockey (men and women), rowing, rugby Sevens women (rugby men are still to qualify by June), surfing, swimming, and wrestling.

READ MORE: SA gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz qualifies for 2024 Paris Olympics

Capralos concluded, “So may the Olympic flame with its birth and its journey until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, succeed in extinguishing the Flames of war that are currently smouldering in countries, cities and peoples and threatening peace on Earth.”