The Olympic Torch Relay is an opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in modern times. The tradition of the Olympic torch goes back to ancient Greece.

In front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, a flame is lit with the help of a concave mirror by focusing the sunlight. This ceremony takes place a few months before the opening of the Olympic Games. The flame is then carried in a clay vessel to the ancient stadium. Actresses in the role of priestesses hand it over to the first runner with the help of a torch. Runners then make their way with a torch to the venue of the Olympic Games and deliver the fire.

During the entire torch relay, the Olympic flame must not go out; otherwise, according to the ceremonial in Olympia, it would have to be rekindled. For this reason, today the mother flame is carried in three safety lanterns, from which the flame can be taken again.

Answer 4

Torches used to be powered by pitch or kerosene. For the Olympic Torch Relay, substances such as magnesium, black powder, resin, olive oil were experimented with. The first liquid fuels were introduced at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. The fuel is stored under pressure as a liquid but burns as a gas to produce a flame. For example, propylene or propane/butane mixtures were used.

The liquid fuel is stored in an aluminum canister inside the torch. It flows up through a pipe to the top of the burner. Before it leaves the pipe, it is forced through a tiny hole. Here, a pressure drop occurs and the liquid turns into a gas. This is burned and produces the flame.

Often a system with a double flame is used. An external flame burns slowly and at a lower temperature than an internal flame. The external flame is large and bright. It is easy to see, but unstable, for example, in windy conditions. The interior flame burns hotter and produces a blue flame. It is small and very stable because it is protected by its inner location. It acts as a pilot flame that can reignite the outer flame should it go out.

The current torch uses two combustion mechanisms: the high calorific blue flame and a flameless mechanism based on a catalytic reaction. For the first time, hydrogen will be used to power the Olympic torch.

Answer 2

Depending on the type of gas, the color and intensity of the flame change.

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In addition, the torch must ensure a burning time that exceeds the time calculated for the stage. The runner might encounter problems on the course and even then, the flame should not go out.

To see details of the 2012 torch, see The Chemical Journey of the Olympic Torch

Answer 2

The current Olympic torch is made of 30 % recycled aluminum. It originates from the temporary housing units after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster that devastated Japan’s Tohoku region. More on the Tokyo Olympic Tourch

Since the beginning of the torch relay, a wide variety of materials have been used: mainly aluminum alloys and stainless steels, but also silver, copper, nickel-plated and painted metal, various woods, plastics, and even glass.

Answer 1

The lighting ceremony was held in March 2020 at Olympia, Greece. The flame has remained on Japanese soil since it was announced that the Olympic Games of Tokyo 2020 have been postponed until 2021. The relay continued its journey on 25 March 2021 from Fukushima Prefecture.

Answer 2