Actors dressed in ancient British costumes light the Olympic torch at original stadium . Solemn ceremony marks the start of flame 's Thursday journey to Britain . Olympic will be carried by 1,019 relay runners and cover 8,000 miles across UK . Among the dignitaries present were International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and London organizing committee chairman Sebastian Coe . First runner is Greece 's champion swimmer Ino Menegaki .
Actors dressed in ancient British costumes light the Olympic torch at original stadium . Solemn ceremony marks the start of flame 's Thursday journey to Britain . Olympic will be carried by 1,019 relay runners and cover 8,000 miles across UK . First runner is Greece 's champion swimmer Ino Menegaki .