The Olympic Flame will return to the MCG at half-time during Saturday's match between Hawthorn and Essendon, as part of the build-up to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch Relay passes through Melbourne in recognition of its status as host city of the 1956 Olympics.

The day's events will feature the largest gathering of 1956 Olympians since the Games in Melbourne while the half-time torch ceremony will mix today's athletes with greats of the past.

Torchbearers inside the MCG on the day will be Betty Cuthbert, Matt Welsh and Herb Elliott, with Brooke Hanson to take the torch back out of the ground.

Events at Half Time:

  • History of the Torch Video

  • First Torchbearer - Betty Cuthbert, greeted by 1956 Olympic Team Members and AFL Auskick participants.

  • Second Torchbearer - Betty Cuthbert hands over to Matt Welsh.

  • Third Torchbearer - Matt Welsh hands over to Herb Elliott.

  • Herb Elliott met by Governor John Landy and Minister for Sport and Melbourne 2006 Commonewalth Games Justin Madden.

  • Address from Governor Landy

  • Fourth Torchbearer - Brooke Hanson takes torch to resume its trip to Athens.