Theodora Siarkou holds a torch during a rehearsal for Sunday's ceremony of Olympic torch lightning

The Olympic Torch has been ignited in a ceremony in Olympia, Greece, but it is only a backup in case of bad weather during Sunday's official ceremony.

After days of rain, the clouds parted Saturday. Actress Theodora Siarkou, dressed as an ancient priestess, ignited the torch using a bowl that reflects the rays of the sun.

The torch will be kept as a backup in case of rain or clouds during Sunday's official ceremony. Rain is forecast Sunday. Bad weather also affected the ceremony for the Sydney 2000 games and the past two Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Nagano, Japan.

On Sunday, the official ceremony will be held and then 534 runners will carry the flame through Greece over 10 days on the first leg of its trip to Turin, Italy.

The flame will travel through Italy for 64 days, including a stop at the Vatican for a blessing by Pope Benedict XVI. The torch will ignite the Olympic cauldron February 10 in Turin.