The flame is one of the most important symbols of the Olympic Games . It represents the fire Prometheus stole from the Greek god Zeus. ... The relay ends at the site of that year’s Olympic Games. There, the flame is used to light the cauldron during the opening ceremony.
Who gets to carry the Olympic torch?
Almost anyone can carry a torch , provided that he is at least 14 years old and is able to carry it for at least 400 meters (437 yards). Handicapped people can be (and have been) torchbearers — they can carry the torch while riding in a wheelchair.
Why do they carry the Olympic torch?
A modern invention inspired by practices from ancient Greece, the Olympic Torch Relay heralds the start of the Olympic Games and transmits a message of peace and friendship along its route .
Do you get to keep the Olympic torch?
Will the torch be sold to the general public? The torch will not be sold . Torchbearers will be able purchase a torch.
What happens if Olympic torch goes out?
When a torch goes out, it is re-lit (or another torch is lit) from one of the backup sources . Thus, the fires contained in the torches and Olympic cauldrons all trace a common lineage back to the same Olympia lighting ceremony. ... Organizers quickly doused it again and re-lit it using a backup of the original flame.
Has anyone ever dropped the Olympic torch?
In an inspirational sequence, Marcia Malsar fell and dropped her torch, got back up and finished her relay leg during the Rio Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
How heavy is the Olympic torch?
The torch was made of polished steel. The torch weighed 462 grams , was 27cm tall; 155mm diameter of the top and 87mm diameter at the bottom. The fuel was Magnesium based.
Who’s lighting the Olympic torch 2021?
Tennis star Naomi Osaka of Japan had the distinct honour of serving as the final torchbearer of the Olympic Torch Relay , lighting the cauldron inside Olympic Stadium for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2021. Osaka, 23, is a four-time major champion in tennis who is making her Olympic debut.
Who lit the Olympic flame 2020?
Naomi Osaka was given the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games. The 23-year-old tennis player follows in the footsteps of a long line of iconic athletes who have been chosen to light the Olympic cauldron at a Games.
How long does it take to run the Olympic torch?
The Olympic flame will serve as a symbol of the Olympic Games and will traverse the length and breadth of Japan for a period of 121 days . Along with the relays being held in the various local municipalities, some 98% of the population of Japan will be within an hour’s journey by vehicle or train from the Torch Relay.
What is the meaning of 5 rings in Olympics?
The five rings represented the five participating continents of the time : Africa, Asia, America, Europe, and Oceania. ... This design is symbolic; it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism, while the six colours are those that appear on all the national flags of the world at the present time.”
How do they keep the Olympic torch lit?
The flame is lit according to the ancient method of the sun’s rays in the parabolic mirror . The Olympic flame can only be lit in this way. The flame is placed in an urn and transported into the ancient stadium where it is given to the first runner by the high priestess responsible for this operation.
Will torch go back up?
It is not uncommon for the Olympic flame to be accidentally or deliberately extinguished during the course of the torch relay, with ‘backup’ flames accompanying the torch on the relay, while others trail in nearby backup locations. When a torch on the relay goes out, it is simply re-lit from a backup flame.
What does the Olympic rings symbolize?
The Olympic symbol (the Olympic rings) expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games .
Is the Olympic torch real gold?
The gold of the torches represented the qualities of the Olympic flame – brightness and warmth. The torch stands 80 centimetres (31 in) high, weighing 800 grams (1.8 lb).
What is the Olympic torch called?
The Olympic Flame :
One of the enduring traditions of the modern Olympic games is the Olympic flame. Emulating an ancient Greek tradition of lighting a sacred fire, the flame is lit in Olympia, Greece months before the games. It is then carried by torches to the site of the games.
