The Olympic flame has arrived in Russia ahead of the winter games in Sochi next February.
President Vladimir Putin was in Moscow to welcome it, bringing his campaign to stage Russia's first post-Soviet Olympics a step closer.
He spoke to the flame, wishing it a good trip: "We'll meet again in Sochi," he said.
The flame, which arrived in Russia from Athens, set off from Red Square on an epic torch relay around the huge country.
It is the longest torch relay before a Winter Olympics and will see the flame taken though all 83 regions in a journey of more than 65,000 km.
In September the International Olympic Committee gave Russia the thumbs up for its preparations for the games.
But the event has been dogged by controversy surrounding a new law in Russia, preventing gay propaganda being distributed to youths.
Source: Euronews
