Built by the Krupp Company, Germany's largest armament producer, each one only burned for 10 minutes. The torches used today have come a long way. In recent years, organizers have opted for high-tech features to keep the flame lit, no matter the weather. The Winter Olympic game's torch , dreamed up by Korean designer Young Se Kim, had four separate walls to ensure the flame can withstand winds up to 78 mph.
It also had a tri-layered, umbrella-like cover to prevent rain from extinguishing the blaze. It could even withstand temperatures down to degrees Fahrenheit thanks to its internal circulation system. If the flame goes out en route, support is always nearby with backup fire lit by parabolic mirror to swiftly relight it.
Though the flame averted major disasters in , its robot transporter almost tipped over. Organizers rushed to right the bot, preserving the flame. So during the opening ceremony, as the Olympic cauldron is lit, take a moment to appreciate the fire that roared to life under a glowing bath of concentrated rays of sunlight. Maya Wei-Haas is the assistant editor for science and innovation at Smithsonian. Ask Smithsonian A Smithsonian magazine special report. Click here for our privacy policy.
The year-old completed the final leg of the Olympic relay, accepting the flame from six schoolchildren from the host nation before ascending the stairs that emerged from a symbolic Mount Fuji to ignite the Cauldron. Dressed in an all-white shirt and shorts with a flash of red on her chest, reminiscent of the outfit worn by torch relay runners at the Tokyo Games, she turned and waved to the athletes gathered in the stands with the flame ablaze at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium.
Enter your full name. Please specify. I agree to terms of use and privacy policy. Please select your profession for an enhanced experience. Filters Tap on things that interests you. STIR it up! Enter recepient email id.
Share Using. Conversation Categories Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch. Conversations About Your Voice. BV Doshi. Miss You, Milan. Spread The Light. Dhaka Art Summit. This year's "sakura pink" torch has a cherry blossom shape that merges five individual flames into one.
It was created by designer Tokujin Yoshioka, who said over email that it is a symbol of hope and "emotional recovery" from the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan a decade ago. The body of the torch is partly made from recycled aluminum used in the shelters that housed survivors following the disaster. Canada and USA have unveiled their Olympic uniforms and the internet -- of course -- has thoughts. An uneasy history. Though the Olympic flame has ancient roots, the relay itself is a relatively modern affair.
In fact, this symbol of international unity was in fact born out of nationalism -- it took place in Nazi Germany during the Summer Games. Over the course of 12 days, the torch was passed along, hand by hand, for almost 2, miles. The first torch relay was held in Berlin in under Nazi rule. The event was designed to showcase Nazi Germany's growing power, and a young, blonde-haired runner, Fritz Schilgen, was selected as the final torchbearer for his Aryan appearance.
0コメント