Pyeongchang 2018 winter Olympics torch lit in ancient Olympia; take a look at stunning images

The torch for the Pyeongchang 2018 winter Olympics was lit in ancient Olympia on Tuesday using the backup flame from the dress rehearsal due to rainy weather, kicking off the countdown for the first winter Games in Asia outside Japan.

Take a look at some of the images from the event:

The run-up to the February 9-25 Olympics has been overshadowed by the escalating crisis on the Korean peninsula triggered by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests. (Reuters Photo)

The torch was lit using Monday's dress rehearsal flame as clouds and light rain during the ceremony did not allow for the high priestess, played by actress Katerina Lechou, to use the concave reflector and light it using the sun's rays. (AP Photo)

"Our dream of hosting the Olympic winter Games has now become a reality. Korea is only the second Asian nation to have the honour of hosting the winter Games," Games chief Lee Hee-beom said. (Reuters Photo)

"We want the international community to understand that we are committed to hosting a safe and secure Olympic winter Games."(AP Photo)

The short ceremony inside the stadium used during the ancient Greek Olympics, was also attended by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon. (AP Photo)

Greek actress Katerina Lehou, playing the role of High Priestess, passes an olive branch to the first torchbearer, Greek cross country skiing athlete Apostolos Aggelis, during the dress rehearsal for the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. (Reuters Photo)

"The Olympic Games are sacred and universal," IOC President Thomas Bach said. (Reuters Photo)

"They stand above and beyond all the differences that divide us. In our fragile world that seems to be drifting apart, the Olympic Games have the power to unite humanity in all its diversity." (AP Photo)

Former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung was the first South Korean to run with the torch, picking up the flame from Greece's Nordic skier Apostolos Aggelis, the first torch-bearer, just outside the ancient stadium. (Reuters Photo)

The flame will arrive in South Korea on Nov. 1 for the start of the domestic torch relay as organisers look to boost local enthusiasm amid low ticket sales. (Reuters Photo)

Greek actress Katerina Lehou, playing the role of High Priestess passes the flame to Greek cross country skiing athlete Apostolos Aggelis during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. (Reuters Photo)

Actress Katerina Lehou as high priestess, holds a torch and olive branch after the Olympic Flame was lit from the sun's rays, during the final dress rehearsal for the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, southwestern Greece. The flame will be transported by torch relay to Pyeongchang, South Korea, which will host the Feb. 9-25, 2018 Winter Olympics. (AP Photo)

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have risen in recent months as Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump exchanged threats and insults over the North's nuclear and missile development programme. (Reuters Photo)

Olympics - Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame Pyeongchang 2018 - Ancient Olympia, Olympia, Greece - October 24, 2017 Performers form the Olympic rings during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. (Reuters Photo)

A Greek actress releases a pigeon during the dress rehearsal for the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. (Reuters Photo)