Was the Olympic Flame ever lit outside Greece?
No. At least not the initial lighting. The flame is lit in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera, by actresses playing the part of priestesses. The choreography and costumes used in the ceremony are based on those of Antiquity. The flame is lit according to an ancient method, using the sun and a concave recipient (a parabolic mirror). The suns rays, concentrated at the centre of the recipient, cause an intense heat which allows a flame to be obtained. The high priestess responsible for this operation then passes the flame to the first runner who carries the official torch of the Games. The Olympic flame can only be lit in this way. [Added in response to Drinking Dano] According to the Olympics website, this is the method used to light the flame in the ancient olympics. http://www.athens2004.
