The Olympic flame is on its way to Athens, with athlete Cathy Freeman becoming the first bearer of the flame's global relay, which starts in Sydney.

　　The torch will be the first ever to pass through five continents in the history of the Olympics.

　　The relay will involve 11,000 torch bearers in 34 cities of 27 countries and regions.

　　Sydney's relay route includes a climb of the well-known Harbour Bridge and a sailing on Sydney Harbour, before arriving at Olympic Park late Friday.

　　The Olympic flame will arrive in Beijing next Tuesday.