The Olympic torch relay involves carrying the Olympic flame from Olympia, Greece to the host city of the Olympic Games. Thousands of torchbearers carry the flame along a route that can span thousands of miles, passing the flame from runner to runner. The flame is lit in Olympia using the sun's rays and a parabolic mirror, then carried in a special lantern by the first torchbearer, kicking off the month-long journey culminating with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony.