Olympic Torch Relay: An iconic feature of both the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Olympic Torch Relay was originally used at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Dr. Carl Diem, a German, invented the torch relay, drawing inspiration from books by Plutarch and artwork by ancient Greeks. The torch, which is gradually handed from one person to another, represents the light of spirit, wisdom, and life. The torch relay pays tribute to the fire’s symbolic force, which stands for steadfastness, passion, and purity. At the opening ceremony, the flame burns at Olympia, Greece, illuminating the “Celebration Cauldron”.

Origin of The Olympic Torch

1928 saw the debut of the Olympic flame, which was positioned in a huge basin atop the Marathon Tower at the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium. The inspiration for the flame came from Greek rituals from antiquity in which a holy fire was maintained throughout the festivity. Every two years, the contemporary Olympic flame is lit in front of the Hera temple ruins. Carl Diem brought the flame and torch relay to the Summer Olympics for the first time in 1936 in Berlin. On July 20, 1936, the inaugural torch-lighting ceremony took place in Olympia, Greece, with mirrors from Zeiss Optics and torches from Krupp, two organisations connected to the Nazi regime.

Key Features of The Olympic Torch

• The Olympic torch has been a symbol of the cultural essence of each host nation since the Berlin Summer Olympics in 1936 and the Oslo Winter Games in 1952.
• The torch design process involves years of meticulous planning, including initial design, 3D modelling, prototyping, durability testing, and mass production.
• The evolution of fuel technology has led to a brighter, smokeless flame, with modern fuels like renewable hydrogen and bio-sourced propane being used in the 2024 Paris Games.
• The torch designs have ranged from classical styles to contemporary iterations, incorporating elements of local culture.
• The London 2012 torch, for example, featured 8,000 perforations to symbolise the 8,000 individuals honoured.
• A torch created by French artist Mathieu Lehanneur representing the themes of equality, water, and peace will be displayed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
• During the relay, 11,000 competitors will carry both torches, highlighting the link between the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Torches Timeline

• Walter Lemcke created the 1936 Olympic Torch, which was produced by the Krupp Company. It weighed 462 grams and was constructed of polished steel. “Fackelstaffel-lauf olympia-berlin 1936” and the route from Olympia to Berlin were inscribed on the torch.
• Ancient Greece and Rome served as inspiration for the torch. Ralph Laver created the torch for the 1948 London Olympic Games.
• The name of the city and the inscription “XV Olympia Helsinki 1952” were affixed to the conical-shaped Helsinki Olympics torch. A torch bearing the text “XVI Olympiad Melbourne 1956” was designed similarly for the 1956 Melbourne Games. Over time, the Olympic torch has changed, representing different events with a variety of styles and materials.
• The torch at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics had a cone-shaped, grooved, and carved design, whereas the torch for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was constructed of stainless steel and explosives.
• The lightweight aluminium design of the 1972 Montreal Games torch was practical, but the 1980 Moscow torch included a tiny red star.
• With its metallic ring and leather handle, the 1984 Los Angeles torch had the Olympic motto “Citius Altius Fortius.”The Olympic motto and insignia were emblazoned on the leather handle of the 1988 Seoul Olympics torch. André Ricard was the creator of the Barcelona Torch of 1992.
• The highest torch from the 1996 Atlanta Games was only meant to be gripped in the centre.
• The Pacific Ocean and the Sydney Opera House served as inspiration for the 2000 Sydney Opera House torch.
• An olive tree leaf served as the inspiration for the Athens torch in 2004 and a traditional Chinese scroll served as the inspiration for the Beijing torch in 2008.
• The 800-mm-long, gold-coloured torch for the 2012 London Olympic Games was created by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby.
• Recam Làser produced the torch for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, which was designed by Chelles & Hayashi.
• Tokujin Yoshioka drew inspiration for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch design from cherry blossoms and used thirty per cent recycled aluminium.
• Based on symmetry and curves, Mathieu Lehanneur created the torch for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which symbolises the city and its journey from Olympia.

Conclusion

The German physician Dr. Carl Diem created the Olympic Torch Relay, a famous fixture of the Summer and Winter Olympics, in 1936. The torch, which is passed from one person to another, stands for the light of spirit, knowledge, and life. Over time, the torch has changed in appearance, with designs fusing contemporary fuels with aspects of regional culture. The torch has been used on several occasions, and its designs have ranged from traditional to modern. 11,000 athletes participate in the torch relay, which emphasises the connection between the Olympic and Paralympic Games.