The Olympic Games are the world's largest sporting event and an important legacy of human civilization. At the opening ceremony of each Olympic Games, we will see a torch team, holding the torch, running through the city and the countryside, and finally lighting the cauldron to announce the start of the Olympic Games. So, is there any history and story about the torch relay?Let's find out.
The origins of the torch relay.
The origins of the torch relay can be traced back to the Olympic Games in ancient Greece. At that time, to celebrate the completion of the Temple of Olympia, a sacred fire was lit in front of the temple, symbolizing the brilliance of Apollo, the god of the sun. The flame burned throughout the Olympic Games until the end of the Closing Ceremony. The relay of the flame is a religious ritual and a symbol of peace, as all participating countries are required to stop the war and respect the Olympic truce during the Olympic Games.
The modern form of the torch relay.
The modern form of the torch relay was first introduced at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. At that time, in order to promote its political ideas, Nazi Germany devised a torch relay to carry the flame from the Olympia Temple to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. This method of torch relay was adopted by the later Olympic Games, and gradually developed into an event that embodies the Olympic spirit and cultural exchange.
Rules and characteristics of the torch relay.
The rules and characteristics of the torch relay are developed by the IOC and the organisers of each Olympic Games, and vary depending on the time, place and theme. In general, the process of the torch relay is divided into the following steps:
1.Tinder picking. Flame lighting refers to the lighting of a torch at the site of the Temple of Olympia in Greece by representatives of the International Olympic Committee and local priests in the ancient way a few months before the opening of the Olympic Games, using sunglasses and olive branches, as the flame of the Olympic Games. The fire-lighting ceremony, which usually takes place in March or April each year, is broadcast live on Greek national television and attracts global attention.
2.Torch making. Torch making refers to the design and manufacture of a special torch by the organizers of each Olympic Games, according to the theme and concept of the Olympic Games, as a tool for the torch relay. The shape, color, material, weight, size, etc. of the torch have different meanings and characteristics. For example, the torch of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, with its red and silver color palette symbolizing China's enthusiasm and modernity, was shaped like a blooming clover flower, symbolizing peace, friendship and progress.
3.Torch Relay. The torch relay is the relay of the flame from Greece to the host city of the Olympic Games, passing through different countries and regions, showcasing the customs and cultural characteristics of each region. The torch relay can take many forms such as hiking, cycling, driving, boating, airplane, train, etc., and there are even special ways such as diving, parachuting, rock climbing, etc. The route and time of the torch relay are formulated by the organizers of each Olympic Games according to the actual situation, and generally start a few months before the opening of the Olympic Games and last for dozens of days or months.
4.The torch is lit. Torch lighting means that at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the torch is passed to the Olympic Stadium, and the last torchbearer lights the cauldron to announce the official start of the Olympic Games. The torch-lighting ceremony is usually the culmination of the opening ceremony and the most anticipated part of the global audience. The last torchbearer is usually a famous local athlete or celebrity, and their identities are usually kept secret until the day of the Opening Ceremony.
Selection and training of torchbearers.
The torchbearers were key figures in the torch relay. They must not only have good physical and psychological qualities, but also have the Olympic spirit and a sense of social responsibility. The selection and training of torchbearers is the responsibility of the organizers and sponsors of each Olympic Games, and is generally produced through registration, recommendation, review, drawing of lots, etc. The number and composition of the torchbearers will vary from one Games to the Games, and will generally include athletes, celebrities, public representatives, and other people from all walks of life and fields. The training of torchbearers usually takes place a few days or weeks before the relay and mainly includes how to use the torch, the rules and etiquette of the relay, safety and emergency response, etc.