The Olympic flame travelled to south Crete on Sunday on its second domestic leg of torch relay leading up to the Athens Games.

Ierapetra erupted in euphoria when the flame arrived at the small town decorated with hundreds of Greek national flags. Local people lined the streets to cheer torchbearers as they passed by.

Marina Varsamidou, a former track athlete, lit the Olympic altar at the center of the great ceremony, upholding the tradition that would send a message of peace.

"I also ran in 1996 in Athens, but it's different when you light the Altar in the place where you grew up. It is a great honor. I am overjoyed..." said Varsamidou.

After passing Pyrgos, the flame spent the night in Agia Galini, its last stop in the south of Crete.

The flame will make its way to Hania on Monday, stopping at Spili, Rethymno, where a welcoming ceremony has been scheduled, and towards the tombs of the Venizelos family.

The torch will change hands 174 times and the relay will cover a distance of 54.7 kilometers during the course of the day.