London 2012 Olympic torch relay to start May 10March 26, 2012 - 17:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The effects of the Greek economic crisis will not spoil the country's leg of the 2012 Olympic Torch relay with officials announcing on Monday, March 26 that it will be funded mainly by sponsors. The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) unveiled a route which will pass through 43 towns and travel 2,900 kilometres from May 10 to 17 before the flame is flown to the United Kingdom for a tour before the London Games start on July 27. It will travel throughout most of the Greek mainland and the island of Crete after being lit in the traditional ceremony at Ancient Olympia in southern Greece on May 10. Although the HOC did not give details of how much the Greek leg of the torch relay would cost, HOC president Spyros Kapralos told a news conference: "In these difficult economic circumstances that we are going through, it is essential to mention that the cost of the budget will not be borne by the public at all. "The costs will be covered by sponsorships, the participation of local communities and individuals." Spyros Zanias, the head of the torch relay in Greece, said: "Although the country has huge financial difficulties, as well as the HOC, we will not scale down on what we are going to do on Greek soil regarding the torch relay, Reuters reported. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Second round of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks set for May 11 The second round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take place on May 11. About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. |