A very precise ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the Ancient Games. After a short relay around Greece, the flame is handed over to the host city at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens. The Flame is then delivered to the host country, where it is transferred from one torchbearer to another. The flame ends its journey when the last torchbearer lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games. The Flame stays lit until it is put out at the Closing Ceremony, signifying the end of the Games.

UK torch relay

The Olympic Flame arrives in the UK on May 18, 2012, before setting out the following day on the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, which comes to Swindon on day five. On its trip around the UK, it will be carried by 8,000 inspirational torchbearers, who will take it through more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages. The Olympic Flame will travel to within an hour of 95 per cent of people in the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.

The power of 3

The triangular-shaped Torch was inspired by a series of threes that are found in the history of the Olympic Games:

  • The three Olympic values; respect, excellence & friendship;
  • The three words of the Olympic motto – faster, higher, stronger;
  • The fact that the UK has hosted the Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and will host them for the third time in 2012

Award-winning design

The London 2012 Olympic Torch features 8,000 small cut-out circles, representing the 8,000 people who will carry it on its journey around the UK.

The circles run the length of the torch, offering a unique level of transparency. The circles also help ensure heat is quickly dissipated, without being conducted down the handle.

The torch is made from an special aluminium alloy developed for the aerospace and automotive industry. It is lightweight but strong, with excellent heat resistance.

It is designed to be as light as possible, as some of the torchbearers are as young as 12.

The torch was designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, who won the opportunity through a competitive tender run by the London 2012 Organising Committee and the Design Council.

In April 2012 the torch was recognised as the Design of the Year at an awards ceremony hosted by the Design Museum.