History Of Olympic Torch Relay: Know The Torches That Were Used In Last 2 Decades

The Olympic flame has been an integral part of the Games that signifies the positive values of humanity, the sacred, and the sacrosanct that is connected with the symbolism of fire. The Olympic torch relay is the relaying of a ceremonial flame from Olympia in Greece, believed to be the birthplace of the Olympics, to the site of the Olympic Games.

The ceremony of the torch relay was introduced by Adolf Hitler and was first performed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the summer. It was conducted to spread the influence of Nazis to other countries and highlight the Aryan connection of Germany to Greece. Since then, the Olympic torch has been relayed far and wide across various cities and countries, from Olympia with the destination being the site of the Games.

The Olympic Torch First Used in 1963

First used at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, the Olympic torches have gone through various levels of evolution to imbibe modern technologies and advanced features in keeping with the changing times.

The modern torches of the Olympics have been built to resist the effects of extreme weather situations like wind and rain as they carry the symbolic flame along its route. They are also designed to represent the uniqueness of the host country and evoke the spirit of the Games.  

The Olympic torch relay is the harbinger of the Olympic Games and passes the message of peace and fellowship along its route. When the Olympic flame reaches its destination at the Games site, it symbolizes the beginning of the Games in which hundreds of athletes represent their respective countries.

With the Paris Olympics 2024 looming large, let us look back at the torches that carried the Olympic flames in the last two decades.

2020 Tokyo Olympics

Colour: Sakura and gold

Length: 71cm

Composition: Aluminium

Fuel: Propane

2016 Rio de Janeiro

Color: White, green, blue

Height: 63.5cm (closed), 69cm (opened)

Composition: Aluminium (recycled) and resin with a satin finish

2012 London Olympics

Colour: Gold

Height: 80cm

Composition: Metal, aluminum

2008 Beijing Olympics

Color: Silver, red

Height: 72cm

Composition: Aluminium, rubber

2004 Athens Olympics

Colour: Brown, Silver

Height: 65.5cm

Composition: Olive wood, aluminum

2000 Sydney Olympics

Color: White, blue, silver

Height: 77.5cm

Composition: Steel, aluminum

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