"We're at war and the common enemy is corona" - actor and Olympic torchbearer Billy Zane

Record ID: 1463695

  • Title: "We're at war and the common enemy is corona" - actor and Olympic torchbearer Billy Zane
  • Date: 13th March 2020
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - MARCH 15, 2007) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF MEN IN OUTFITS FROM THE FILM "300" ON RED CARPET FOR THE FILM'S UK PREMIERE BUTLER ON RED CARPET FOR "300" PREMIERE AND POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH FANS
  • Embargoed: 27th March 2020 18:32
  • Keywords: Billy Zane Gerard Butler Olympic Torch relay Sparta coronavirus
  • Location: SPARTA AND ATHENS, GREECE AND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City: SPARTA AND ATHENS, GREECE AND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Celebrities,Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA007C4VZMM7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Greece's Olympic Committee said it had cancelled the remainder of the Olympic Torch relay through the country on Friday (March 13) to avoid attracting crowds that could raise the risk of coronavirus contagion.
    The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch relay got under way on Thursday (March 12) when the flame was lit by the rays of the sun in ancient Olympia in a ceremony that was scaled down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
    The flame's journey in Greece had been due to last seven days. On Friday it arrived in the Peloponnese town of Sparta, where Hollywood actors Billy Zane, best known for his role in "Titanic", and Gerard Butler, star of the 2009 movie "300", also ran as a torchbearers.
    Hundreds of people gathered to watch as the torch passed through.
    The Hellenic Olympic Committee said the opening leg of the relay had attracted unexpectedly high crowds, forcing it to suspend the remaining stops after consultations with the Greek Health Ministry and the International Olympic Committee.
    The handover of the flame to the Tokyo Games organisers will take place as scheduled in the Greek capital Athens on March 19 - without spectators.
    "I hope it carries on. There was a time, when, you know, in the ancient days, all wars would stop for the Olympics," Zane told Reuters.
    "It feels like we're at war collectively and the common enemy is corona. And it felt like perhaps for maybe even just this morning, the war stopped and some healing could occur."
    By late Friday, Greece had registered 190 confirmed cases of coronavirus and one death.
    The Japanese Olympic Committee said it will continue to collaborate closely with all relevant organisations to ensure the torch relay begins safely on March 26 and for a secure opening of the 2020 Games in July.
    (Production: Hanna Rantala)
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