The Icarus Flame at the World Air Games 2009

With less than a week before the start of the World Air Games 2009, a ceremony was held on the Greek island of Icarus to light a torch for the World Air Games 2009 in Turin, Italy. This flame is now on its way to Italy in order to be presented at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, 6th June.

The famous story of Icarus is enshrined in Greek mythology; Icarus' father, Daedalus, was a prisoner of Minos, King of Crete. Being a craftsman, Daedalus constructed two sets of wings so that he and his son could escape. They successfully took flight and headed for Athens, taking a route over the sea. But Icarus became over-excited and flew higher and higher until the wax which held his wings together started to melt from the heat of the sun. The wings broke up and Icarus plunged into the sea.

With the generous support of the Greek government and the Aero Club of Greece, a torch was lit using the heat from the sun at a grand ceremony on the island. It will now be transported by air to Turin.

Read more about the FAI World Air Games 2009 on the dedicated website www.worldairgames.org/2009