Significance of the Olympic Torch & Flame: It’s intriguing to see how other nations see their Olympic campaigns. The top-ranking nations at the table include the US, China, South Korea, the UK, Japan, etc. Some countries from central Europe and important African countries like Kenya and Jamaica attempt to win as many medals as they can in their niche competitions. India and other nations haven’t had much success at the Olympics. Abhinav Bindra, an Indian shooter, won India’s first individual Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
The final hockey gold was earned at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, while the other eight gold medals were for hockey. We cross our fingers once more in support of India, hoping to see our country take home a gold medal at the prestigious Olympic games. But first, let’s look at some fascinating facts about the Olympics in India. Scroll down to read the Significance of the Olympic Torch & Flame.
Significance of the Olympic Torch & Flame
According to legend, the Olympic torch represents the Olympic Movement. The flame symbolizes the continuity between the ancient and present Olympic games as well as the beneficial relationship that man has with fire. The Olympic Torch Relay begins with the lighting of the torch in Olympia, Greece, and it will continue to flame throughout the opening ceremony of each scheduled Olympic event. The flame continues to burn during the game and is extinguished during the closing ceremony of the Olympics.
Olympic Torch Origin
The Sun’s beams are used to ignite the Olympic flame in the goddess Hestia’s temple with the use of a parabolic mirror. Prometheus stealing the fire has extremely intriguing historical significance, but in current times, the Olympic flame is lit at a location where the temples of Hera were once located.
The lighting of the Olympic Flame
The Olympic flame is lit in the same manner for both the summer and winter games. Olympic torch has only ever been lit inside the stadium twice: in 1936 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and in 1948 at St. Moritz. The Olympic flame must be lit months in advance of the later-scheduled competitions for the torch relay to take place and deliver the flame to the host city.
History of the First Olympic Torch Relay
Olympic torch relays were first proposed for the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Carl Diem, the secretary general of the organizing committee. A torch relay led to Berlin, igniting the movement that began in Olympia. The first torch relay was witnessed at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. This inaugural torch relay began at the Norwegian Games, not in Olympia, Greece.
The Olympic torch was ignited in front of the Capitol in Rome during the 1956 Winter Games because the city had recently been chosen to host the Olympics that year. Beginning with the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, the torch relay for the Winter Games began in Olympia.
Itinerary of the Olympic Torch Relay
Basic route
Choosing a route for an Olympic torch relay is difficult since organizers must make special provisions and consider potential roadblocks.
From Olympia to Athens
The organization known as the Greek Olympic Committee is always in charge of lighting the Olympic flame in Olympia. A group of runners is also organized by this committee for the trip to Athens.
From Athens to the host city
The Olympic Games Organizing Committee (OCOG) is in charge of all other aspects of the torch relay’s transportation to the Games’ host city. This committee decides on the torch relay’s theme, the locations to be traveled through, the planned stops, and the various modes of transportation.
The torch models were largely the same in the relay’s early years. Shapes, colors, and materials have evolved along with the Olympic Games to become increasingly diverse. This variety demonstrates both a desire to distinguish across Games editions and a desire to highlight the unique characteristics of the host nation through the artifact.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics
During the pandemic, the 2020 Olympic Torch came to represent tenacity and optimism. Despite the difficulties, it persisted in its mission, encouraging people to hope for better times and a sense of community. The Olympic torch was originally intended for the 2020 Tokyo Games. But those events had to be moved to 2021 because of the COVID-19 epidemic. The 2020 Olympic torch, like other Olympic torches, spreads the Olympic spirit despite the world’s challenges by spreading the message of friendship, solidarity, and peace.
The torch used in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay was ornamented with a cherry blossom design. The design is prominent in Japanese culture. With the celebrated cherry blossom season in Japan, the relay’s theme, “Hope Lights Our Way,” was chosen.
Conclusion: The Significance of the Olympic Torch & Flame
The Olympic Torch, which stands for peace, unity, and the spirit of competitiveness, is a representation of the Olympic Games. It is a flaming torch that passes through several nations before arriving in the host city. The Olympic Torch Relay is a custom that represents the solidarity of nations and the transmission of the Olympic spirit from one generation to the next. It encourages international comradery and cooperation.
The Olympic Flame is customarily lit by the sun’s rays at the ancient Olympia in Greece. Greece is the site of the first Olympic Games. To start the flame, the sun’s rays are focused through a parabolic mirror.
The Olympic Torch gets extinguished during the closing ceremony once the Olympic Games are over. After that, it is given back to the host nation as a treasured souvenir of the Games.
The Olympic Flame and Torch stand for the values of goodwill, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. They exemplify the Olympic spirit, motivating competitors and viewers alike to pursue greatness and camaraderie.
