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13 Bizarre Oddities About the Olympic Torch
As the Olympic Games kick off this Friday, July 26th, let’s delve into the fascinating and sometimes bizarre world of the Olympic torch and flame. This iconic symbol of the Games has a history filled with unusual and odd stories that add to its mystique. Here are 13 oddities about the Olympic torch that highlight its strange and intriguing past.
1. Origins in Nazi Germany
The modern Olympic torch relay was introduced at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, created by Carl Diem. Despite being a symbol of international unity today, it was originally used as a propaganda tool by the Nazi regime, with no precedent in the ancient Greek tradition.
2. Lit by Parabolic Mirror
The Olympic flame is ignited by concentrating the sun’s rays through a parabolic mirror at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece. This method ensures the flame is pure and has a direct link to the ancient Greek sun god Apollo.
3. Accidental Extinguishments
Despite meticulous planning, the Olympic flame has been accidentally extinguished several times. For instance, in the 1976 Montreal Games, rain extinguished the flame, and a worker relit it with a cigarette lighter before officials quickly replaced it with a backup flame.
4. Flame in Space
In 2013, the Olympic flame journeyed to the International Space Station. Astronauts took it on a spacewalk, marking the first time the flame traveled outside Earth’s atmosphere, symbolizing the global reach of the Games.
5. Remote Control Mishap
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, archer Antonio Rebollo shot a flaming arrow to light the cauldron. However, the cauldron was ignited by remote control to ensure precision and safety.
6. Flame Carried Underwater
During the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the torch relay included an underwater segment. Australian diver Wendy Craig Duncan carried the torch under the Great Barrier Reef, using a special flame that could burn underwater.
7. Stolen Torch
In 2012, the Olympic torch was stolen during its relay in England. Fortunately, it was quickly recovered, but the incident added a bizarre twist to the otherwise celebratory event.
8. Flame’s Journey to the North Pole
For the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the torch was taken to the North Pole aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker. This marked the first time the flame had traveled to the northernmost point on Earth.
9. Innovative Torch Designs
Each Olympic torch has a unique design reflecting the host country’s culture. The 2016 Rio torch expanded to reveal colored segments representing Brazil’s landscape, while the 2018 Pyeongchang torch was designed to stay lit in extreme cold and winds.
10. Involvement of Celebrities
Celebrities and notable figures often participate in the torch relay. Muhammad Ali’s trembling hands lighting the cauldron at the 1996 Atlanta Games became an iconic moment, symbolizing courage and resilience.
11. Flame in a Miner’s Lamp
To ensure the flame’s continuity, backup flames are kept in miner’s lamps. These lamps are carried alongside the torch relay to reignite the flame if it accidentally goes out, ensuring the flame’s journey is uninterrupted.
12. Difficult Torch Relays
The torch relay often includes challenging terrains. For example, the 2008 Beijing relay included a climb up Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, showcasing the determination and spirit of the Olympic Games .
13. Use of Robots
In the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, robots assisted with the torch relay. The robots were designed to interact with the public and carry the torch, highlighted Japan’s technological innovation and provided a futuristic twist to the traditional relay.
Conclusion
These 13 bizarre oddities about the Olympic torch highlight the unique and sometimes strange history of the iconic torch. As we watch the torch relay this year, these stories remind us of the flame’s enduring legacy and the quirky moments that make the Olympics so captivating.
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