Tokyo Torch Ready for Relay

(ATR) Tokyo 2020’s Olympic torch uses recycled materials from the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami to present a motif of Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms.

The torch, unveiled on Wednesday, features a five pointed flower design in the shape of the traditional "sakura" or cherry blossom. It is one singular piece of metal put together using the same technology reserved for assembling the "shinkansen" high speed trains.

Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka designed the torch. A separate torch will be produced for the Paralympic Torch Relay.

Tokyo 2020 says the metal used for the torch came from recycled aluminum from used in temporary housing in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Throughout the Games preparation Tokyo 2020 has used the event to brand the Olympics as the "Recovery Games" integrating the northeast of the country.

The release of the torch coincides with the one year anniversary of when the Olympic flame will land at Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi prefecture from Greece. The flame will then be taken around the Tohoku region before the 2020 Torch Relay begins in Fukushima.

To drum up enthusiasm for the Olympic Torch, the Tokyo Skytree will be illuminated in the "Sakura gold" color of the torch through the end of the week.

A full schedule for the torch relay is yet to be released, but organizers say the relay will be run under the theme of "Hope Lights Our Way".

Five points that make the cherry blossom petals will each hold a flame when the torch is lit, according to Tokyo 2020.

Two Japanese athletes and two pop culture icons were selected as the official ambassadors for the torch.Tadahiro Nomura, three time judo Olympic gold medalist, and Aki Taguchi, three-time Paralympian, were selected to be the athlete ambassadors, while actress Satomi Ishihara and comedy duo Sandwichman come from Japanese pop culture.

"The torch relays are for everybody," Taguchi said in a statement about her appointment.

"Regardless of gender or physical ability, anybody can participate in the relays and send cheers along the streets or through the TV. I would like to help make the torch relays memorable for all those who participate. We the ambassadors will do our best, so please join us!"

Written by Aaron Bauer

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