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Anna Korakaki to be first female torchbearer to kick off Olympics

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Anna Korakaki In this Aug. 9, 2016, file photo, Anna Korakaki, of Greece, displays her gold medal following the victory ceremony for the women's 25-meter pistol event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Greece's Olympic committee said Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, it has picked Korakaki as the first torchbearer for the 2020 Tokyo Games following the flame-lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia on March 12. It's the first time a woman has been chosen for the launch of the torch relay. (Hassan Ammar/AP)

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Greece’s Olympic committee has picked Greek native, Anna Korakaki to launch the torch relay from Greece.

Korakaki won the Olympic gold medal in the 25m pistol and the bronze in the 10m air pistol in Rio in 2016.

“It’s a great honor for me. I am thrilled, and I think the feelings will get even more intense in Ancient Olympia. I am looking forward to experiencing that moment and I’m sure it will remain etched in my mind and heart for the rest of my life,” Korakaki said on the official website of the Olympic Games.

The torch will travel from Greece to Tokyo, where the 2020 Olympic Games will be held.

The last torchbearer will also be a woman, Greece’s Katerina Stefanidi who won the pole vault gold medal at Rio.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

© 2020 Cox Media Group

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