Olympic torch sparks controversy

Fanning the flames: Sophie Gosper receives the torch

The Olympic torch has been lit in Greece at the start of a 100-day journey halfway round the world to Australia - but the ceremony was not without controversy.

Ray of hope: But no fire for torch

The Greek Olympic Committee came under fire for switching the first handover to the daughter of a senior member of the International Olympic Committee.

Even the lighting of the torch in the Temple of Hera at the ancient site of Olympia in southern Greece was hit by problems when clouds rolled in and prevented the flame being lit by the sun.

Instead it had to be lit by a candle.

Late switch

Greek-Australian girl Yianna Souleles was due to receive the first handover of the torch from Greek high jump champion Lambros Papakostas.

Touch and go: The fllame is ignited at last

But she was switched at the last minute for Sophie Gosper, the 11-year-old daughter of International Olympic Committee vice president Kevan Gosper.

Politicians, sports stars and members of the Greek community in Australia attacked the decision by the Greek Olympic Committee, which has been warned by the IOC that it could be stripped of the Olympics in 2004 over planning delays.

Are the Greeks doing this because they have been told they may lose the Olympic Games?

Dawn Fraser

Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser called the decision "outrageous".

"Are the Greeks doing this because they have been told they may lose the Olympic Games?" she asked.

'Out of proportion'

Lambis Nikolau, president of the Greek Olympic Committee, said: "This is being blown out of proportion."

Lambis Nikolau: "Blown out of proportion"

And Sandy Hollway, chief executive of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG), called it a "storm in a teacup".

Yianna, who took the torch at a later stage, said she was not too disappointed.

"It is still an amazing thing we are here and they are letting us do this," she said.

Meanwhile, SOCOG has told Chris Turner, a 46-year-old lawyer from Alice Springs who has cerebral palsy, that he will have to be pushed in a wheelchair for his 500 metre leg, rather than ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Chris said: "All my life I have fought to maintain my independence and to be pushed in a chair would be to surrender my independence."

A SOCOG spokesman said about 11,000 people were participating in the event, including many with physical disabilities.

"Of all of them, Chris is the only one who doesn't want to abide with the rules," the spokesman said.

The torch will travel more than 27,000km, firstly to Athens, then in a special jet to Guam to be ferried across the Pacific.

In its final stage it will be carried overland from the sacred aboriginal site Ayers' Rock to the opening ceremony in Sydney.