Monday Memo: PyeongChang Flame, Olympic Mayors, 1000 Days to Tokyo

(ATR) The flame for the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games will be lit Oct. 24 in the traditional ceremony at Ancient Olympia.

The prime minister of South Korea, Nak Yon Lee, will lead the delegation from the host nation. IOC President Thomas Bach and other IOC members will attend. Newly re-elected Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos and Ancient Olympia Mayor Euthumios Kotzas will also speak at the ceremony.

Greek cross country ski champion Apostolos Angelis will be the first torch bearer, handing the flame to Korean footballer Ji Sung Park. A week-long relay through Greece will follow. A handover ceremony in Athens will mark the departure to South Korea for a 100 day relay across the country.

The weather forecast indicates that rain could be an issue for the outdoor ceremony at the site of the ancient Olympic Games. If necessary, the event will be held indoors at the museum on grounds of the archeological site.

Olympic Mayors Meet

Marking their first joint appearance after the Lima IOC Session, the mayors of Paris and Los Angeles will meet Monday at a climateconference in the French capital.

Anne Hidalgo and Eric Garcetti will sign an agreement Oct. 23 pledging cooperation between the two Olympic host cities through 2028.

According to a release from the City of Paris the goal is the share best practices "and together create new solutions that will further improve people's lives. It focuses on three key areas: the fight against climate change, solidarity and innovation.

The event takes place at the Intercontinental Hotel in the center of Paris.

Tokyo 2020 1,000 Days to Go

Tokyo 2020 and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will mark 1000 days to the Games with an event Oct. 28.

A procession of floats will be followed by the unveiling of a countdown clock in Chuo Dori. Demonstrations of new Olympic sports that will debut in Tokyo are planned, including 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle and skateboarding.

LA84 Foundation Summit

The sixth annual summit of the LA84 Foundation is scheduled for Oct. 27 at the J.W. Marriott in Los Angeles. More than 350 participants are expected for the day long program.

Keynote speakers include Olympians Kerri Walsh Jennings and Allyson Felix.

Reported by Ed Hula.