Olympic flame goes through mountain region on third day

VERIA, Greece, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic flame left Ioannina to head for the mountain region, north of Greece, going through Metsovo, Grevena, Kozani and Veria on Wednesday.

The flame started its third day journey in 9:00 and traversed azigzag mountain road with snow and frost on trees along Mountain Pindes before reaching Grevena.

The flame arrived Grevena in 13:30 and gave the town a second chance to see the sacred blaze after 2004 Athens Games relay.

"The Olympic spirit lives long in our hearts and we are willing to share it with the rest of the world," said Giorge Nutsos, the mayor of Grevena.

"Through the relay of Olympic flame, two ancient civilized countries, China and Greece, today come together. The flame shines as messenger of peace and coexistence and peace is not a situation in next few days, but last long," added Nutsos.

"We have our confidence with Beijing who will further promote Olympic spirit."

Grevena is a town of 20,000 people prolific on mushroom. There were six torchbearers carrying the flame with Greece's women soccer player Maria Flanzi and shot put champion Hellen Tzika among them.

A band from local academy song the "anthem of Olympics" and "create the image" in the ceremony site.

"It (flame) comes to the town to herald another great Olympic Games. I am lucky to be part of the Beijing Games in this way," said Tzika, who won the national games three time in a row.

"I am 18 and I am the best in Greece in my age, but I am not good enough to compete in the Olympic stage," added Tzika. "But the flame just complement my absence from the Games competition."

Flanzi was a soccer player in Athens Games and withdrew from the national team to concentrate her college study two years ago. "Chinese women team are among the best and I think they are capable of winning the top three," said Flanzi.

The flame arrived at Verina, where it will stay overnight, in 17:40 to see a splendid parade of honor guard. The boy scout was another spotlight in the city.

The flame kindled the passion of the town. Last time the flame went through the town is four years ago, but it just passed with staying here.

The street were lined up by onlookers and a lot of people stood on balcony to see the flame's arrival.

Thundering applause sounded up when the last torchbearer reached the ceremony site. Dancers in traditional garment reminded the newcomers of long history in the town.

The flame is to continue its advance to north Greece, passing through six cities, Naoussa, Skidra, Edessa, Giannitsa, Ancient Pella and Thessaloniki after setting out from Veria in 9:30.