Gerard Butler brushed off concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic as he took part in the Olympic torch relay in Greece.
The Hollywood actor, 50, was seen lighting the torch and carrying it through the streets of Sparta on Friday, as the run went ahead in the Greek city.
Gerard was clad in official uniform for the relay, that bore the logo for the 2020 Olympics set to take place in Tokyo later this year, and was accompanied by security as he made his way through the crowds.
All smiles: Gerard Butler brushed off concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic as he took part in the Olympic torch relay in Greece on Friday
According to reports, spectators were advised not to attend the event due to fears concerning the coronavirus pandemic, but large crowds still formed and were seen surrounding Gerard as he made his way through the city.
Seeming fairly cool and collected, however, Gerard donned dark shades and was seen waving to spectators as he held up the torch in one hand.
The movie talent, who is famed for the catchphrase ‘This is Sparta,’ thanks to his role in 300, put on an animated display throughout the relay and didn’t seem particularly concerned about the recent outbreak.
Good sport: The Hollywood actor, 50, was seen lighting the torch and carrying it through the streets of Sparta on Friday, as the run went ahead in the Greek city
Looking the part: Gerard was clad in official uniform for the relay, that bore the logo for the 2020 Olympics set to take place in Tokyo later this year
Enjoying yourself? The movie talent was in good spirits as he made his way through the city
He was mobbed by large crowds at the event, despite repeated warnings for spectators not to attend, prompting Greece’s Olympic Committee to cancel the rest of the torch’s run on Greek soil.
It was only on the second day of its scheduled eight-day journey.
The torch-lighting ceremony took place in Olympia this week in front of 100 IOC officials. The expected crowd of 12,000 was banned from attending.
The Olympic flame will still be handed over to the Tokyo 2020 organising committee at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on Thursday, but without fans. It is the only the third time that a relay to Athens for the summer Games has not been completed.
Warnings: According to reports, spectators were advised not to attend the event due to fears concerning the coronavirus pandemic
Playing his part: Seeming fairly cool and collected, Gerard seemed to brush off any concerns he may have over the outbreak
Lighting up: He was seen lighting the torch as part of the traditional ceremony
A Greek Olympic Committee statement said: ‘The decision was made in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the International Olympic Committee with a deep sense of responsibility, as public health is the supreme good and in these difficult times a reasonable attitude is required from all sides.’
Hollywood has also been impacted by the pandemic, with several movies postponing their release dates until much later this year.
James Bond movie No Time To Die was originally scheduled for an April release date, but has now been pushed back until November.
You’ve done this before: Gerard, who is famed for the catchphrase ‘This is Sparta,’ thanks to his role in 300, put on an animated display throughout the relay
Onto a winner: Gerard performed for the crowds that turned out for the event, despite repeated warnings not to attend
Riling up the crowd: Gerard was seen cheering as he gestured towards spectators
Cut short: It was only on the second day of its scheduled eight-day journey on Greek soil, but Greece’s Olympic Committee have decided to cancel the rest of the relay
The release of Disney’s new live action remake of Mulan has also been postponed, as has the new Fast and Furious movie with Vin Diesel, titled F9.
Actor Tom Hanks, 63, and his wife Rita Wilson, also 63, have both tested positive for coronavirus.
The couple are over in Australia, where Tom had been working on an untitled Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis Presley film produced by Warner Bros. Production on the movie has now been halted.
Tom revealed his diagnosis on social media and told fans that he and Rita are now self-isolating and taking a one-day-at-a-time approach.
Stripped back: The Olympic flame will still be handed over to the Tokyo 2020 organising committee at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on Thursday, but without fans
Taking precaution: The Greek Olympic Committee statement said the decision ‘was made in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the International Olympic Committee’
Measures in place: Officials said in a statement: ‘Public health is the supreme good and in these difficult times a reasonable attitude is required from all sides’
Hanks revealed he and his wife experienced symptoms including the common cold, body aches and chills before they decided to get tested.
Sharing an update with fans, the Forrest Gump star revealed: ‘We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness.
‘We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx.’
In isolation: Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, 63, have both tested positive in coronavirus, while out in Australia where Tom is working on a new Elvis Presley biopic