Olive branch wreath to crown marathon champion in Beijing

(BEIJING, July 13) -- An olive branch wreath, made from the branch of a 2,500-year-old olive tree on the island of Crete in Greece, will crown the marathon champion at the Beijing Olympic Games.

In ancient times, the Greeks crowned Olympic champions with olive branch wreaths. Since Olympic Games were held only in times when neighboring nations were not at war, the olive branch became a symbol of peace.

The olive branch wreath will be carried to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games by Greek actress Maria Tzombanaki.