The Olympic torch is an iconic symbol of the Olympic Games and is traditionally lit at the opening of the Olympics. The person(s) who lights the Olympic torch is usually a high-profile figure, such as a medal-winning Olympian or a prominent public figure.
Each Olympics has had its own special ceremony for the lighting of the Olympic flame. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, for example, the torch was lit by seven former British Olympians, including Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the Olympic flame was lit by Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, a Brazilian marathon runner who won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The lighting of the Olympic torch can be an emotional and symbolic moment both for the individual lighting the torch and the audience watching. It marks the beginning of the Games, and is often one of the most memorable parts of the opening ceremony.
How do you get chosen to light the Olympic torch?
The process for getting chosen to light the Olympic torch is a long and arduous one, but is also a tremendous honor. Every host country decides who will light the torch at the opening of the Olympic games, and it is usually someone who is a symbol of inspiration, courage or hope.
The selection process can vary, but in general, the country’s Olympic committee chooses a person who is either a former Olympic champion or athlete, a local hero, or an influential figure who reflects the spirit and values of the Olympics.
The committee may call for nominations and have a selection panel for determining the flame lighter.
In many cases, the individual who is chosen to light the torch is made known to the public prior to the commencement of the Olympics. Often times, the individual who carries the torch may have a story of overcoming a challenge, of dedication to a cause, or of incredible understanding and accomplishment.
It is seen as an honor, not only for the individual who is chosen to light the torch and their family, but also for the entire host country. It is an opportunity for a nation to showcase its values and spirit, and the chosen individual is usually made into a symbol of national pride.
Who lit the final torch at the Olympics?
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the final torch bearer was Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima. De Lima won the bronze medal in the men’s marathon during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and carried the torch for more than 180 km during the relay.
He became the Brazilian hero of that time. He lit the final torch on August 5th, 2016 during the opening ceremony to celebrate the Olympics’ 31st edition. The cauldron, which was made from soil from the Greek and Brazilian Olympic committees, was lit with the torch, to signify the unity of those two countries.
Does the Olympic torch ever go out?
The Olympic torch is one of the most sacred symbols of the Olympic Games, and the honor of bearing the torch in the Games’ opening ceremony is a much-coveted one. It symbolizes the fire of competition and the unity of the world’s peoples.
As such, the Olympic torch is kept continuously lit throughout its journey to the host city – even when it is on its final leg.
However, despite its sacral importance, the torch can go out from time to time. Depending on the weather and other factors, the flame of the torch will be susceptible to gusts of wind, rain or other elements.
To ensure that the flame does not go out, runners carry the torch in special ways. They might place their hands inside wind guards to keep the flame from extinguishing, or they may use a special torch holder or a parasol to shield it from the elements.
In addition, there is also a designated safety or “follow-up” runner who shadows the main torch bearer and carries an emergency flame to relight the torch in the event that it does go out.
Since its debut in 1936, the Olympic flame and torch have traveled around the world to serve as a symbol of international unity and the spirit of the Games. Despite the occasional extinguishing, the flame is never allowed to go out completely – just as the Olympic spirit will continue to burn bright.
How much is an Olympic torch worth?
An Olympic torch is priceless in terms of historical value, with these torches being a symbolic representation of the spirit of the Olympic Games. Sporting memorabilia enthusiasts have put a financial value on the torches, as many have gone up for sale after the conclusion of the Games.
Due to its relative rarity, most Olympic torches are worth around $3,000 to $5,000. However, a torch signed by its carrier can bring up to $50,000 in some cases. For instance, a torch carried by British rower Steve Redgrave in the 2004 Athens Olympics was sold at auction for over $390,000.
Is the Olympic torch lit at the end of the opening ceremony?
Yes, the Olympic torch is lit at the end of the opening ceremony. It is considered to be one of the most important and iconic moments of the Olympic Games and is a powerful symbol of unity and peace.
The official lighting of the Olympic torch usually includes a speech from the president or head of state of the host country, followed by an official lighting by a specially selected athlete from the host country.
The flame is then paraded around the stadium to the accompaniment of cheers and music until it finally reaches the Olympic Cauldron, where it is lit and will remain lit until the end of the Games. The lighting of the torch marks the beginning of the Games and serves as a celebration of the spirit of the Olympics.
What happens to the torch at the end of the Olympics?
At the end of the Olympics, the Olympic flame is extinguished in the Olympic cauldron. Generally, the extinguishing of the flame takes place during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, which is always held in the host city of the Olympics.
After the flame is extinguished, the torch is often handed off to another city as a symbol of hope and continuity. The next host city often symbolically receives the torch during the closing ceremony, and then lights their own flame during the opening ceremony of their own Olympic Games.
The torch that was used to light the Olympic flame is usually presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in order to be kept and preserved for posterity. Some torches have gone on display at Olympic Museums around the world, while others have been given to special guests, Olympians, and host city representatives as mementos.
Ultimately, what happens to the torch after the Olympics depends on the wishes of the IOC.
Who lit the Olympic flame in Japan?
The Olympic flame at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan was lit by Japanese Olympian and 26-time national champion boxer, Naoya Inoue. Inoue, who is known as “The Monster” for his boxing skills, was chosen to light the torch in part to recognize the efforts of athletes around the world who are continuing to strive for Olympic glory despite the ongoing pandemic.
Inoue’s torch lighting ceremony took place at the J-Village National Training Centre in Fukushima on March 25, 2021. After the ceremony, the flame will then be carried to each of Japan’s 47 prefectures before being returned to the Olympic stadium in time for the opening ceremony on July 23, 2021.
How is the Olympic torch lit each time?
The Olympic torch is lit each time in a traditional, long-standing ceremony that dates back to Ancient Greece. The fire is always lit at Olympia, the birthplace of the Games, and delivered to the city where the current Olympics are hosted.
The ancient Greeks used fire to honor Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth, which is why it is still the main symbol at the Games.
The fire used in the Olympic torch has no direct connection to the sun god Apollo and is lit using a “parabolic reflector,” which is a curved metal panel that magnifies the sun’s rays and focuses them on the torch.
The Olympic flame is also re-ignited each time the Games are held as a symbol of unity in different nations and cultures.
When the Games arrive at their destination city, the flame is used to light the artistic cauldron located in the stadium, which signals the official start of the Games. During that time, the torch relay continues its journey around the world, with each runner passing the flame to the next until the Opening Ceremony comes to a close.
Where is the Olympic flame traditionally lit?
The Olympic flame is traditionally lit at the ancient Temple of Hera, located in Olympia in Greece. This is considered the birthplace of the Olympic Games and is where the ritual of the torch relay and flame lighting starts.
During the lighting ceremony at the temple, the Olympic flame is lit using a hollow curved mirror with the sun’s rays. From the temple, the flame is kept burning, and transported by athletes, celebrities, and dignitaries, until it reaches its final destination and lights the main cauldron at the Olympic Games.
How far Does Olympic torch travel?
The Olympic Torch Relay is an event that travels around the world in the days leading up to the Olympic Games. The torch is lit from the sun’s rays at the birthplace of the original Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece, then it is transported to the host city of the current Olympic Games.
The flight of the torch typically includes major stops in participating countries, traveling thousands of miles in a variety of modes of transportation. The longest relay in the history of the Olympic Torch Relay traveled around the world and reached 134 countries, covering a total of 137,146 miles during its journey.
The entire relay lasted 130 days, which began in Greece and ended in the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Is Olympic flame ever put out?
No, the Olympic flame is never put out. It is brought to the site of the Olympics and relit at the opening ceremony of each Olympics, and it stays lit throughout the time that the Olympics are taking place.
Once the closing ceremony is finished, the flame is then removed from the venue and taken to the next host city so it can be readied for their opening ceremony four years later.
What is the fuel for the Olympic flame?
The Olympic flame is typically fueled primarily with propane gas, boiled lamp oil, or a blend of both. In some variants of the Olympic Flame, wax or oil may be added to increase the flame’s duration and output.
The fuel used for the Olympic flame is composed of a blend of liquid petroleum, based on a selection of high-grade naphthas, and natural gas, based on natural gas vapors. The flame is typically kept alight during the duration of the Olympic Games and is uniquely symbollic of the Olympic spirit.
Why are there only 5 Olympic rings when there are 7 continents?
The international Olympic symbol featuring five interlaced rings, each in a different color, has come to represent the Olympic Movement since its first presentation in 1913. While the rings are commonly thought to represent the five inhabited continents – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania – there is no formal meaning behind the rings, as the creator Pierre de Coubertin simply referred to the rings as “a voluntary and exclusive symbol of the sport,” and intended for it to represent “ontinental solidarity of the world.
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Since its debut, the Olympics and its symbol have grown vastly in scale. Over time, the symbol has been adapted to the changing number of continents and the concept of the “inhabited world. ” At the time of the logo’s conception, the number of inhabited continents was five and today the IOC lists five inhabited continents: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Although the Olympic symbol is composed of five rings, it still manages to represent and embody the spirit of the seven continents. The union and solidarity of the five rings symbolizes the thoughts and feelings of athletes around the world, no matter what continent they come from.