Rehearsal of the Olympic torch lighting ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympiad

With the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics just around the corner, a dress rehearsal for the Olympic torch lighting ceremony was held in the temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia, Western Greece on Wednesday. Here are some pictures from Greece. The actual ceremony will be held on Thursday (October 22).

LIGHTING THE HOLY GRAIL: Maria Nafpliotou, who plays the role of a high priestess, lights the Olympic torch with the flame. This is the dress rehearsal before Thursday's ceremony in the temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia for the 2010 Winter Olympiad at Vancouver

PASSING THE FLAME: Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou, right, gives the flame to Ino Menegaki.

FLAMING POT: Greek actress Ino Menegaki, who plays the role of a priestess, holds the pot which contains the flame after it was lit by the Olympic torch.

FOLLOWING THE LAMP: Priestesses follow the flame in a rehearsal before Thursday's ceremony.

PASSING THE OLIVE: Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou receives a brach of Olive from a young boy.

STATUE OF LIBERTY: Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou, right, raises the torch as priestess, Ino Menegaki, holds the pot which contains the flame

WAVING TO THE CROWD: Bet Tuason, 54, is all smiles and greets the crowd as he arrives on stage during an Olympic torch relay test in Chilliwack, British Columbia. The Olympic torch is scheduled to arrive here on October 30th.