The tradition of pageantry surrounding the Olympics is as much a part of the Games as the sports themselves. From the lighting of the torch months before the Opening Ceremonies to the carnival-like Closing Ceremonies. The Olympics has endured as one of the few rituals that regularly brings the people of the world together.
The torch
– History
The Olympic flame is a symbol carried over from the ancient Olympics, where a flame burned at the altar of Zeus throughout competition. It was reintroduced at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. In 1936 it was proposed that the flame be lit in Greece and transported to the Berlin Games via a torch relay. The idea was adopted, and continued at every Olympic Games since 1952.
– Design
The 2000 torch is made up of three layers representing fire, water and earth. The construction is inspired by the Opera House sails and the curve of a boomerang.
– Production
Approximately 14,000 torches will be produced which will be offered to torchbearers for purchase.
– Safety
The torch has a built-in safety system which self-extinguishes after 10 seconds if it is left lying on the ground or inverted.
– Flame
The torch will stay lit in winds up to 40 m.p.h. and in a tropical downpour.
– Fuel
The fuel canister, which resides in the middle layer, contains a mixture of propane and butane and can last for 20 minutes.
– Weight
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A little more than 2 pounds.
– Ignitor
Keeps flame lit
Fuel canister
Memorable ceremonies
1920 Antwerp
Award ceremony
A member of the victorious U.S. track relay team was missing from an award ceremony the next day. It later emerged that he was out late and found himself locked out of his hotel. A passing police officer arrested him when he tried to climb the building’s facade, refusing to believe he was an Olympic gold medalist.
1928 Amsterdam
Opening Ceremonies
The first time pigeons were released–a tradition that continues today.
1936 Berlin
Award ceremony
Gold medalists received year-old potted oaks to be replanted in their home countries.
1948 London
Opening Ceremonies
The stifling 95-degree heat claimed victims. Many of the guards, wearing red jackets and heavy bearskin hats, collapsed and had to be removed from Wembley Stadium on stretchers.
1952 Helsinki
Opening Ceremonies
A so-called “Angel of Peace” disrupted the ceremony. A young woman, apparently mentally deranged, circled the track until she was led away.
1968 Mexico City
Award ceremony
Two U.S. athletes caused a major stir with a display of “black power.” The 200-meter gold and bronze medal winners each raised one black-gloved fist before shocked spectators and officials and were sent home the following day.
1976 Montreal
Opening Ceremonies
The final torchbearers, two students holding hands intended to represent Canada’s English and French heritage, kept in touch and later married. Also, the ceremony had a royal flavor. Queen Elizabeth II opened the Games and stood for one hour and 15 minutes as all the athletes paraded past, including her daughter Princess Anne, a member of the British equestrian team.
1984 Los Angeles
Opening Ceremonies
A showcase of 84 grand pianos were used in a Hollywood-style ceremony featuring the music of George Gershwin.
1992 Barcelona
Opening Ceremonies
The Olympic flame was lighted in spectacular fashion when Spanish Paralympian Antonio Rebollo shot a flaming arrow into the Olympic cauldron.
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Opening Ceremonies
Shrouded in secrecy and steeped in tradition, the Opening Ceremonies is primarily entertainment. However, the three-hour extravaganza includes many of the Games’ most important rituals:
1. The arrival of the torch
2. The lighting of the cauldron
3. The raising of the Olympic flag
4. The taking of the oath
5. The parade of athletes
The torch relay
The torch relay officially began with the lighting of the Olympic Torch in Olympia, Greece on May 11. A Greek actress dressed as a high priestess handed the flame to Greek high jumper Lambros Papakostas, who began the relay that will end on Friday at the Opening Ceremonies in Sydney.
Sources: Tribune file photos, AP photos, “The Olympic Spirit, 100 Years of the Games”