Tens of millions of people on multiple continents have witnessed first-hand the pageantry of the Olympic flame as it heralds the ideals of friendship, noble competition and culture for a more peaceful world. Today in Brussels, capital of the European Union, the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay reaches the halfway milestone on its international journey through 27 countries before returning to Greece on 9 July for a relay that will lead to the lighting of the Olympic Caldron to commence the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, 13-29 August. More than 3600 torchbearers are responsible for transporting the flame on the international journey; 7700 will carry it throughout Greece.

Athens Olympic flame back to Europe

The ATHENS 2004 Torch Relay has captured the world's attention with dramatic scenes and torchbearers, who are athletes, the notable and extraordinary ordinary people who represent their families, friends, cities and countries. Along the journey, torchbearers as diverse as the cities themselves have carried the Olympic flame from Ancient Olympia, Greece to Antwerp, Belgium on June 21.

"It was a dream come true," said Ramya Roy, a torchbearer in Delhi. "The two minutes or so are one of the most precious moments of my life. I hope the flame will continue spreading the message of peace and harmony among the nations across the globe."

"The flame I received in my heart today will never be extinguished," said Eiyu Hirano, a torchbearer in Tokyo.

"I'm no athlete. But this is a way an ordinary person can take part in the Olympics," said Alejandro Reyes, a torchbearer in Mexico City (as quoted in the Los Angeles Times). "And this torch means peace. So this is a way to spread peace around the world."

The relay continues its worldwide travels to previous host cities of the Olympic Games and other select cities. The upcoming route includes 19 cities that each has representative torchbearers and community celebrations to showcase its heritage.

Torch Relay Midpoint Milestone

18 days

2151 torchbearers

13 countries

17 cities

630 kilometres through cities

17 flights

96 hours in flight

62,000 flight kilometres

36 time zone changes

International route:

4 June - 9 July (flame rekindled in Ancient Olympia, 25 March)

Sydney; Melbourne; Tokyo; Seoul; Beijing; Delhi; Cairo; Cape Town;

Rio de Janeiro; Mexico City; Los Angeles; St. Louis (Missouri); Atlanta (Georgia); New York; Montreal;

Antwerp; Brussels; Amsterdam; Geneva; Lausanne (Switzerland); Paris; London; Madrid; Barcelona; Rome; Munich; Berlin; Stockholm; Helsinki; Moscow; Kiev (Ukraine); Istanbul; Sofia (Bulgaria); and Nicosia (Cyprus).

Source: ATHENS 2004 Torch Relay Media Relations