The Olympic Torch Lights the Way

One of the biggest thrills of the Olympics is the sight of a magnificent flaming torch entering the stadium to usher in the Games. It burns bright, lighting the way with the positive values of purity associated with fire.

The torch designs for the XXIV Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing next year take the tradition to the next level.

The torches were unveiled February 4 at a ceremony in the National Aquatics Center. In 2008 the iconic venue was known as the Water Cube, site of aquatics competition. But for next year’s Games, it has been re-named the "Ice Cube" and will host curling competition.

Their introduction marked one year to the day to the opening ceremony, which will take place in the National Stadium. The "Birds’ Nest" (as it is better known) is another example of venues from 2008 that are being used again; it also will host the closing ceremony. The Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 4 – 20.

The torch designs were selected from 182 entries in a global competition. The competition launched in April 2020, with the final decision by the IOC in December.

Aptly named "Flying", the Olympic torch spirals upward, resembling two overlapping fluttering ribbons. The red inner ribbon is reminiscent of rising flames and provides a striking contrast to the gleaming silver plating on the exterior. The torch is said to be reminiscent of the main cauldron for the 2008 Games, which resembled a giant scroll.

The midsection features the Beijing 2022 emblem and a delicate pattern of clouds, similar to those in the 2008 design; snowflakes painted from the bottom up to the flame convey the elements of winter.

Together they are the perfect metaphor for fire and ice, and symbolizes the light and warmth of the winter sports celebration. The whirling red line in the gap represents the unrelenting pursuit of light, peace and excellence—values promoted by the Olympic Movement.

The Paralympic Torch

Identical in form but different in coloration, the Paralympic torch has a golden ribbon encased in a silver exterior. The lower section of the Paralympic torch is engraved in Braille with the words, "Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games". The Paralympics are set for March 4 – 13.

The handle bears the same cloud and snowflake as the Olympic torch.

Wang Xiangyu, a deputy director of the Culture and Ceremonies Department of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee, spoke at the February 4 ceremony.

"To introduce the start of the one-year countdown, we wish to kindle the enthusiasm and anticipation for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games all around the world," he said.

"The successful design of the torch has proven again that the Olympics always set the stage for the integration of sports, culture, art and science."

Fire Lights the Games

Fire has been associated with the Games since the first competition in ancient Greece in 776 BC when 50,000 people traveled from all over the Greek world to participate.

Its use didn’t end with the ancient Greeks.

In modern times, the tradition of using fire began in 1928 when a flame lit at the entrance of the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam and burned until the end of the closing ceremony.

A lit cauldron remained a constant until the 1936 Games in Berlin, Germany. The first ever torch relay began in Olympia, Greece and ended in Berlin, where it launched the worldwide event that unites nations in sport. Since then, international relays have become synonymous with the Games. Details of the 2022 relay will be made "in due time", according to organizers.

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