The Olympic flame, lighted for the 1988...

The Olympic flame, lighted for the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, left Greece by plane. It was enclosed in three special miners’ lamps for travel aboard a Canadian-built executive jet.

The flame was kindled from the sun’s rays focused in a concave mirror over the weekend in Ancient Olympia where the original Olympics were held. It was due to arrive in St. Johns, Newfoundland, today.

From Newfoundland, Canada’s eastern-most point, the flame will start an 88-day torch relay across the country to Calgary, with arrival set for the opening day of the 15th Winter Olympic Games Feb. 13.

The Olympic torch will travel more than 11,250 miles. More than 7,000 runners will carry it and it also will travel by plane, on skis and in snowmobiles during the relay.