The Olympic flame was brought to the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis in Athens on Wednesday to spend the night before its delivery to Milan Cortina Winter Games officials.

Olympic Gold medallist rower Stefanos Ntouskos carried the torch and lit a cauldron for the night.

Italy is hosting its third Winter Games, but preparations have been plagued by cost overruns and construction setbacks.

AP video and production by Lefteris Pitarakis