It is fairly certain that torches and flames are less than popular today in Olympia, the home of the ancient Olympic Games and the place where the torch-lighting ceremony for every winter and summer Olympics since the 1936 Berlin Games has taken place.  For, over the last few months, the nearby area has been ravaged by wildfires. Even the International Olympic Committee-owned Olympic Academy has been severely damaged. The Greek authorities, however, are confident that everything will be in order before the customary ceremony is held there on 24 March this year. There is no reason to disbelieve them, despite the huge replanting task upon which they are engaged. It did not seem possible for the arrangements for the 2004 Games in Athens to be completed in time for the opening. But they were – just. V. © The Gilvern Times, 22 February 2008.