Olympic torches mark the start of the Games every four yearssince they light from Athens, (place where everything began) and travels the world with the flame on until reaching the destination. This 2024 arrived in Paris after having passed through different countries in the hands of the best world athletes. However, it is not only to carry a brand new torch caught and celebrate the beginning of sports fair, but to show the design that revolves around the Olympics.
This not only remains in the logo, in the inauguration or in the uniforms of the delegations, but the torches are the first winks to the design that we will see in the nearest edition. And it must be a very important element because it also takes the fire to everyone in the hands of the most recognized athletes. Thus, we will not do our tour around the globe, but of the story to show the genius of the different Olympic torches.
Berlin Olympic Torch, 1936.Ullstein Bild Dtl.
Berlin, 1936
The first Olympic torch left Athens, in Greece to Berlin, in Germany, on July 20, 1936. In that year, the Nazi party was in power; However, it was a great opportunity to try to unite the planet prior to the war that was about to begin. On that occasion, The torch was designed by Carl Diem, president of the German Olympic Committee, Walter E. Lemcke and Friedrich Krupp Ag and had the form of a pillarIt was also made of steel. It measured 27 centimeters high and weighed about 500 grams.
London Olympic Torch, 1948.Keystone / Getty images
London, 1948
On this occasion, a civil war was carried out in Greece, so the torch left katakolon and not from Athens. He also visited few countries for the world situation. This It has a cup shape at the top where registration says «Olympia to London With Thans to the Bearer Xivth Olympiad 1948” The design and manufacture are awarded to Ralph Law already EMI Factors Ltd, High Dury Alloys Ltd. Even so, another special for the final bearer was designed, since it shone even more than the original to stand out in the stadium.