LOS ANGELES — The Olympic Torch Relay will make its way through Los Angeles today, beginning at Venice Beach and ending with a closing ceremony at Dodger Stadium this evening.
Mayor Jim Hahn will ignite the torch during the morning celebration, then hand it off to Sylvester Stallone.
In all, 140 Angelenos will carry the torch throughout Los Angeles -- the first of four U.S. cities that will participate in the relay to Athens, where the summer games will be held.
About 6:50 p.m., Tom Cruise will carry the torch into Dodger Stadium, then hand the flame to World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, who will pass it on to four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Janet Evans.
She will then turn it over to Olympic track and field gold medalist Rafer Johnson, who will light the ceremonial cauldron. The 69-year-old Johnson, who won the gold in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, was part of the torch relay at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the final torchbearer for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Samsung Electronics America, a presenting sponsor of the Torch Relay, selected "celebrity torchbearers to carry the Olympic Flame because their life's work has become a part of American culture and because they personally have supported important causes," said President and CEO Dong-Jin Oh.
"We hope these famous torchbearers will bring excitement to those along the route and will inspire others during this historic event," he said.
Local citizens and "heroes" were also selected by Samsung to be torchbearers.
Ellen DeGeneres said being an Olympic torchbearer "is a first for me and a real thrill," and Cruise called it an honor.
"The Olympic Games are a vital and much needed activity to support and bolster international goodwill and cooperation and I am proud to do what I can to help," he said.
Stallone said he hopes "one of my greatest contributions is helping others learn about the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle."
"I am honored that Samsung asked me to be a torchbearer and to be part of the Olympic spirit, which is all about setting goals for yourself and striving to do your best."
The evening ceremony will include performances by R&B recording artist Faith Evans, who will sing the national anthem, "American Idol" finalist George Huff and 200 Greek dancers.
The relay will continue through July 9 by a charter 747, known by the call sign "Zeus."
After its arrival in Sydney, Australia, from Athens on June 4, the flame began its international portion of the relay, which will span 35 days and 34 cities in 27 countries.
The torch will continue its U.S. journey traveling to St. Louis, Atlanta and New York, before arriving in Europe for the final leg of the tour.
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Mayor Jim Hahn will ignite the torch during the morning celebration, then hand it off to Sylvester Stallone.
In all, 140 Angelenos will carry the torch throughout Los Angeles -- the first of four U.S. cities that will participate in the relay to Athens, where the summer games will be held.
About 6:50 p.m., Tom Cruise will carry the torch into Dodger Stadium, then hand the flame to World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, who will pass it on to four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Janet Evans.
She will then turn it over to Olympic track and field gold medalist Rafer Johnson, who will light the ceremonial cauldron. The 69-year-old Johnson, who won the gold in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, was part of the torch relay at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the final torchbearer for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Samsung Electronics America, a presenting sponsor of the Torch Relay, selected "celebrity torchbearers to carry the Olympic Flame because their life's work has become a part of American culture and because they personally have supported important causes," said President and CEO Dong-Jin Oh.
"We hope these famous torchbearers will bring excitement to those along the route and will inspire others during this historic event," he said.
Local citizens and "heroes" were also selected by Samsung to be torchbearers.
Ellen DeGeneres said being an Olympic torchbearer "is a first for me and a real thrill," and Cruise called it an honor.
"The Olympic Games are a vital and much needed activity to support and bolster international goodwill and cooperation and I am proud to do what I can to help," he said.
Stallone said he hopes "one of my greatest contributions is helping others learn about the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle."
"I am honored that Samsung asked me to be a torchbearer and to be part of the Olympic spirit, which is all about setting goals for yourself and striving to do your best."
The evening ceremony will include performances by R&B recording artist Faith Evans, who will sing the national anthem, "American Idol" finalist George Huff and 200 Greek dancers.
The relay will continue through July 9 by a charter 747, known by the call sign "Zeus."
After its arrival in Sydney, Australia, from Athens on June 4, the flame began its international portion of the relay, which will span 35 days and 34 cities in 27 countries.
The torch will continue its U.S. journey traveling to St. Louis, Atlanta and New York, before arriving in Europe for the final leg of the tour.
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