Athens  - Priestesses praying to the ancient sun god Apollo got their wish on Wednesday after the rehearsal for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics torch lighting ceremony went smoothly in Ancient Olympia.

Using a concave mirror to reflect the sun's rays, the Olympic torch was successfully lit during a rehearsal, which included 21 actresses performing a symbolic ceremony,

Thursday's official lighting of the Olympic flame will kick off a seven-day relay across Greece before the torch is handed over the Vancouver Olympic organizers to begin the longest domestic relay in history.

The flame lit during Wednesday's practise run will be kept as back-up in case rain clouds hamper Thursday's formal event.

The ceremony's choreographer, Artemis Ignatiou, said the performance was based around artwork currently on display at the Olympic museum.

"We have to have Olympic Games and not war," said Ignatiou.(dpa)