The tradition of the Olympic flame dates back to 1936 for the Summer games and 1952 for the Winter Olympics. After a few exceptions to the rules, the Olympic flame now systematically leaves from Mount Olympus to travel to the country and the organizing city. It is the organizers who decide which route it will take. Most often, the itinerary is chosen for cultural reasons. It is a way to make the history of a country better known. In total, the Olympic flame has travelled 120.000 kilometres around the world.