Olympic Torch Relay: A History

The journey of the Olympic torch is making big news these days. People are trying to disrupt the torch's journey from Greece to China as a way of protesting China's treatment of the Tibetans; the torch actually had to be put out in Paris and was transported by bus due to protests.

You might be surprised to learn that the torch relay is a relatively new concept to the Olympic Games. It was begun at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin as a way of showing the supposed greatness of the Nazi regime. In recent years the torch relay has been used to bring attention to the various sponsors of a section of the relay. Each torch relay has a theme which is decided upon by the Olympic Games Organising Committee (OGOC). Ironically enough, this year's theme is "Journey of Harmony."

The torch is lit at a ceremony at the site of the original Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece; in front of the Temple of Hera by women playing ancient priestesses. The flame is lit by using the sun's rays on a parabolic mirror; this is the only way the flame can be lit. It is then placed in an urn and transported to the ancient stadium where the first runner receives the torch. The last runner lights the flame at that year's Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremonies, and it then burns throughout the games. The flame is put out at the closing ceremonies.

To many people, getting the chance to carry the Olympic torch is a great honour and privilege. That honour has been given to sports figures, celebrities, and regular people. The flame is transported in many ways, not just on foot. To get across oceans and seas, air travel is often used. The flame is also transported on horseback, wheelchair, motorcycles, etc.

There are several backup sources of the Olympic flame to guard against accidents or in the event that it has to be put out, like in Paris. The backup flames are also lit at the Temple of Hera in the same way as the original.

Due to the events of this relay, it might be time to do away with the Olympic torch run. I have a feeling that from now on anyone who has any complaint about the country hosting the Olympic Games will target the torch relay.

This just in: The Vancouver Olympic Committee has decided to limit the Olympic torch relay to Canada only in 2010. The chairman has said it has nothing to do with the current protests, that Canada is big enough for the relay...