Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Design Revealed; Swimmers Could Take Part In Torch Relay

Photo Courtesy: Rio 2016

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With 399 days until the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the event organizers unveiled the design of the torch that will carry the Olympic flame on its journey from Athens, Greece, to Brazil.

The website for the Rio Olympics says the torch design “unites movement, innovation and Brazilian flavour.” The torch can be extended to reveal three colorful elements that represent the mountains, sea and ground. This will be done at each moment during the Torch Relay when the flame is passed from one runner to the next.

The flame will be housed in the section of the torch that represents the sun. “Its color is golden, representing the ultimate achievement at the Games,” according to the event website.

When the torch expands, the green section will embody Brazil’s lush mountain landscapes. The aquamarine blue section celebrates Brazil’s famous seascape, while the dark blue section replicates the famed Copacabana promenade, a four-kilometer tiled walkway along Copacabana beach.

The Olympic Torch relay always begins in Greece, the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. At the site of several of the events that took place in Athens 119 years ago, the Olympic flame is rekindled, and the journey begins toward the Maracana Stadium, where the flame will be lit on August 5, 2016, for the 16 days of the Olympics. The Olympic Flame ceremony in Greece is expected to take place next May.

The Torch Relay in Brazil will travel through 500 cities, according to the event website. The names of runners on the relay route have not been named, but it is likely that swimming stars will be a part of it. Manoel dos Santos, who won bronze in the 1500 freestyle in 1960, is the oldest living swimming medalist. Members of the 1980 bronze medal-winning 800 free relay could take part in the relay, as could Ricardo Prado, the 1984 silver medalist in the 400 IM.

Gustavo Borges, Brazil’s most successful swimmer at the Olympics with four total medals across three Games, is likely to run a portion of the relay. Expect current swimmer – and 2008 50 free champion – Cesar Cielo to take part.

Olympic Torch details

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Claude R. Saucier

8 years ago

Des nageurs vont porter la flamme.

Perttu Super

8 years ago

This is great! I’ve thinken day and night how could I could get it from Europe over the Atlantic ocean but now it’s solved. I’m so happy