(Flame, Olympic Fire, Fire) The Olympic Flame, or Olympic Fire, is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Its origins lie in ancient Greece, when a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the Olympics in 1928, and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games ever since. The Olympic flame of the modern-day Olympic Games is lit by reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror at the Olympia stadium and then transported by a torch to the place where the games are to be held. Over the years, it has become a tradition to let famous athletes or former athletes be the last runner in the relay and to be the lighters of the fire.