High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou feels honored

　　(Athens, March 24) �CMaria Nafpliotou, who portrayed the Greek High Priestess, said she felt honored to be chosen to light the torch for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

　　She confirmed her willingness to take on the duty upon receiving a phone call from the president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Nafpliotou told a reporter of the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on Monday.

　　"This is an unforgettable experience in my life. I underwent a month of training, arrived in Olympia one week in advance, and conducted rehearsals every morning and afternoon until the ceremony on March 24," she said.

　　Hours after successfully lighting the torch using the sun's rays and a parabolic mirror, the High Priestess still remembered the nervousness she experienced, as it was the first time that she had been entrusted with such a sacred duty. She, like many others, had worried about forecasted rain. However, the sun came out from behind the clouds at just the right moment to allow for the normal lighting of the Olympic flame at 11:05 a.m. (GMT+2) on March 24, 2008.

　　She attributed her successful debut to her predecessor, as the latter had given her many tips, including how to remain calm.

　　Maria Nafpliotou expressed her wish for the success of the Beijing Olympics and said she hoped to go to Beijing to attend the Games.