The Olympic torch returned to India on Thursday after 40 years on the next stop of its voyage across five continents.
The torch, housed in a special lantern that burns continuously, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International airport from the Chinese capital, Beijing, in a special Boeing 747 that is carrying it around the world.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was later on Thursday to flag off a relay of runners who would carry the torch along a 33km route through the national capital.
Dikshit was to hand the flame to Indian Olympic chief Suresh Kalmadi, who has the honour of being the first runner, at the historic Qutub Minar monument in south Delhi.
From there 105 runners, including Olympians, film celebrities and politicians, were to bear the torch in relay along a tightly guarded route that also takes in another historic monument, Humayun’s Tomb in eastern Nizamuddin suburb.
The torch, which last passed through India in 1964, left Athens last week on board the colourfully painted Boeing, dubbed Zeus and has already visited Australia and China.
Nearly 11 000 people will carry it across the five continents in its global relay, including all the cities which have hosted the Games since they were revived in 1896.
The metal and wood torch, in the shape of an olive leaf, is crafted by Greek designer Andreas Varotsas and will be taken to Africa and Latin America for the first time.
The relay began on March 25 after the flame was lit by the rays of the sun at a ceremony in ancient Olympia, Greece, site of the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. The international leg began on June 4 from Sydney and will end in Athens on August 13.
The Delhi relay will end at the National Stadium, venue of the first Asian Games in 1951, after passing by other important landmarks, such as the Red Fort, the Parliament buildings and the presidential palace. — Sapa-AFP