Around the World in 65 Days

The Olympic Torch is veiled in antiquity. The popular myth of Prometheus adds a flavor to the torch legend. Prometheus is the being who took sacred fire from the gods and gave it to man. During the Ancient Olympic Games, the torch represented the covenant of the Sacred Truce. Before the start of the Olympic Games, the torch would travel through territories heralding peace, and a suspension of hostilities for the entire period of the Olympic Games went into effect. The first appearances of the modern flame was in 1928 (Amsterdam) and 1932 (Los Angeles). At that time, the torch was just lit in the stadiums. Not until 1936 was the modern-day torch relay born. The Berlin Games established a link before the games of antiquity and modern day by setting a relay course from Greece to the host city.

In Olympia (since 1936), the flame is kindled by the sun with a ceremonial ritual performed at the Temple of Hera. By using a parabolic mirror (used in reflecting telescopes), the sun’s rays are focused to produce the flame. The high priestess recites to the god Zeus and lights the torch with an olive branch. She then hands the torch to a waiting runner to begin the relay. This year, the Athens Olympic Torch Relay, with the theme, “Pass the Flame, Unite the World!” will establish the first global journey of the Olympic flame. The flame will travel through 27 countries and 34 cities. Some 260 million people will see the flame pass through their community as it makes its way to Athens.

On June 4th, the torch began its 65-day journey. Most of the cities chosen for the flame to pass through have or will host the modern Summer Olympic Games. Some of these cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Saint Louis, Atlanta, New York, Montreal, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Munich, Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, Moscow and Athens.