Bittersweet emotions as Greeks watch torch lighting

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (Reuters) - Aphrodite Tagios broke down in tears as cream-robed priestesses struck graceful poses on a grassy slope at the birthplace of the Olympics in a solemn ceremony that reminded her of her country's glorious past and how far it has fallen since.

With debt-stricken Greece risking bankruptcy and an exit from the euro zone, many Greeks watched the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony in the ruins of ancient Olympia on Thursday with bittersweet pangs of pride mixed with sadness and anger.