Olympic torch. Interesting Facts

If anyone is asked about what is the most important symbol of the Olympic Games, he does not hesitate to say that this is a burning Olympic torch, and, of course, will be absolutely right. The tradition of lighting a fire before the games began appeared in ancient Greece. It reminds us of the feat of Prometheus, who managed to steal the flame from Zeus and gave it to people. Nowadays, every time before the start of the Olympics, the fire is lit in Greek Olympia, and then delivered to the place where the next games are held. One can notice one interesting feature. Each time, according to a secret tradition, the Olympic torch has a special form and original design. This is clearly seen in the last three games.

Olympic torch in Athens (2004): leader in fading

A year before the start of the games, he was submitted to the public for discussion. The founder of this torch was Andreas Varotsos - industrial designer of office furniture. His idea was to use olive wood and metal as the main materials. Thus, the design symbolized the connection of ancient Greek history and modernity. The Athenian torch was similar in shape to the twisted leaf of the olive tree. He looked rather modest, but at the same time laconic, but in practice it was very unfortunate: in the course of the relay it was often blown away by the wind, and during the solemn ceremony in the temple of Hera at the most inopportune moment the fire, as evil, was completely extinguished.

Olympic torch in Beijing (2008): ecology in the first place

This time the design was developed by IT-company Lenovo - the world-famous computer manufacturer. The creation of this torch has occupied the technical specialists and the design team for almost a year. As a result, it was made in the form of a paper scroll, because it is he who is considered the greatest invention of China. The colors of the torch were dominated by red, symbolizing victory, and silvery colors. The upper part was decorated with a traditional Chinese pattern of clouds, which is often found in the interior and painting of the Celestial Empire. This torch has become the most eco-friendly and technological in the history of games. For its production, a magnesium and aluminum alloy was used, and in the role of fuel it was decided to use propane. This gas does not pollute the atmosphere during combustion , which means that no harm was done to the light marathon runners and other athletes.

Olympic torch in London (2012): hole on the hole

As you know, the British love accuracy and pedantry. When there were exactly one hundred days left before the start of the London Olympics, a new torch was presented to the public. Its design was developed by two British designers: Edward Barber and Jay Osherby. Before the beginning of work each of them has studied the detailed description (for 80 pages) of all models of torches of the previous games and the list of requirements for their manufacture. As a result, London designers offered to make an Olympic torch made from an aluminum alloy in the form of a tapering triangle. Thanks to this material, it turned out to be both strong and easy, and three faces were supposed to symbolize the famous motto of the athletes "Faster, higher, stronger," and third in the game in London. But that's not all: the British decided to show originality and put on the torch perforation in the form of 8,000 small holes. Thus, the number of marathon runners who brought fire from Greece was noted.

What will surprise the Olympic torch in 2014

As many already know, the next winter games will be held in the popular resort of the Black Sea coast of Russia. This time, the organizers seriously decided to impress the public with their imagination and originality of the idea: The Olympic torch "Sochi 2014" will first visit space. True, it is reported that, for security reasons, he will not be ignited at the same time. Nevertheless, this event will undoubtedly become a bright moment in the annals of the Olympic movement.