2020_Torch Relay

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay postponed

On 24 March, the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) announced the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

In the light of this postponement, Tokyo 2020 has decided to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay scheduled to start on 26 March. We will announce revised dates for the Torch Relay after the new schedule for the Tokyo 2020 Games has been fixed, and renew our preparations for a vigorous Grand Start event that will bring people together again.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our partner organisations, each prefectural taskforce and the many other stakeholders who have made such great efforts to prepare for the Relay, and we ask for your continued cooperation. We will consider measures that allow torchbearers who were selected to run in the now postponed event to be given priority in the selection process for the new Torch Relay.

Source: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

 

1. Schedule 2020 (archive)

Source: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Schedule

– 12 March: Lighting Ceremony in Olympia, Greece
– 12-19 March: Greek leg of the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay
– 19 March: Handover Ceremony in Athens, Greece
– 20 March: Flame arrives at Matsushima Airfield, Miyazaki, Japan
– 20-21 March: Flame on display in Miyagi Prefecture
– 22-23 March: Flame on display in Iwate Prefecture
– 24-25 March: Flame on display in Fukushima Prefecture
– 26 March: Japanese leg of the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay starts from Fukushima, taking in all 47 prefectures of Japan

 

Prefecture Date
1 Fukushima 26-28 Mar. 2020
2 Tochigi 29-30 Mar. 2020
3 Gunma 31 Mar.-1 Apr. 2020
4 Nagano 2-3 Apr. 2020
5 Gifu 4-5 Apr. 2020
6 Aichi 6-7 Apr. 2020
7 Mie 8-9 Apr. 2020
8 Wakayama 10-11 Apr. 2020
9 Nara 12-13 Apr. 2020
10 Osaka 14-15 Apr. 2020
11 Tokushima 16-17 Apr. 2020
12 Kagawa 18-19 Apr. 2020
13 Kochi 20-21 Apr. 2020
14 Ehime 22-23 Apr. 2020
15 Oita 24-25 Apr. 2020
16 Miyazaki 26-27 Apr. 2020
17 Kagoshima 28-29 Apr. 2020
18 Okinawa 2-3 May 2020
19 Kumamoto 6-7 May 2020
20 Nagasaki 8-9 May 2020
21 Saga 10-11 May 2020
22 Fukuoka 12-13 May 2020
23 Yamaguchi 14-15 May 2020
24 Shimane 16-17 May 2020
25 Hiroshima 18-19 May 2020
26 Okayama 20-21 May 2020
27 Tottori 22-23 May 2020
28 Hyogo 24-25 May 2020
29 Kyoto 26-27 May 2020
30 Shiga 28-29 May 2020
31 Fukui 30-31 May 2020
32 Ishikawa 1-2 Jun. 2020
33 Toyama 3-4 Jun. 2020
34 Niigata 5-6 Jun. 2020
35 Yamagata 7-8 Jun. 2020
36 Akita 9-10 Jun. 2020
37 Aomori 11-12 Jun. 2020
38 Hokkaido 14-15 Jun. 2020
39 Iwate 17-19 Jun. 2020
40 Miyagi 20-22 Jun. 2020
41 Shizuoka 24-26 Jun. 2020
42 Yamanashi 27-28 Jun. 2020
43 Kanagawa 29 Jun.-1 Jul. 2020
44 Chiba 2-4 Jul. 2020
45 Ibaraki 5-6 Jul. 2020
46 Saitama 7-9 Jul. 2020
47 Tokyo 10-24 Jul. 2020

 

2. Schedule 2021

Source: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

3. Torch Design

Video

 

Design Concept

The torch bears the motif of a cherry blossom, Japan’s most familiar and best-loved flower. With the arrival of the cherry blossom season in March 2020, the Olympic Torch will be integrated with the “Hope Lights Our Way” concept of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay and will commence its journey across Japan.

Uniting tradition and modern technology, the shape of the torch resembles that of a Japanese traditional “Sakuramon” cherry blossom emblem. It was shaped into this form using the same aluminium extrusion technology used in the manufacture of Japan’s famous bullet trains. It forms a seamless, single piece symbolising the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, created by fusing Japanese tradition and modern technology.

The manufacture of the torch embodies the spirit of recovery and consideration for sustainability. Aluminium construction waste from temporary housing built in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake was used to create it, transforming materials that witnessed the rebuilding of shattered lives into a symbol of peace. This will convey to the world the extent to which the affected areas are recovering, one step at a time.

The torch is also designed to depict the shape of a flame. The five flames generated from the petal unite at the centre of the torch, lighting the way with greater brilliance. A number of technological innovations have been deployed in the combustion section that lights the torch, including catalytic reaction.

The weight and shape of the torch grip is designed to make it easy for anyone to handle. It includes a positioning mark indicating the front of the torch designed for those with a visual impairment. The torch is simply created for everyone.

Specifications:
– Length: 710 mm
– Weight: 1.2 kg (approx. 1kg body plus 200g fuel cell)
– Colour: Sakura gold
– Main material: Aluminium (30% of which is sourced from recycled aluminium recovered from temporary housing)

 

Images

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

4. Visual Identity Torch Relay

Emblem

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

Design Concept

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Emblem incorporates three rectangular shapes arranged to depict the dynamic flames of a torch. In addition, a “ukiyo-e” woodblock printing technique known as “fukibokashi” has been used to produce graduated tones across two colours. One of these – vermilion – produces an energetic, loving and passionate image, and is combined with ochraceous, reminiscent of the earth, to create a festive feeling evoking Japan as well as the effect of a flame.

 

Visual identity

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

5. Route Greece

Details of the Greek leg of the Torch Relay

  • Lighting Ceremony: 12 March 2020 near the Temple of Hera at the sacred site of Ancient Olympia
  • Duration: 8 days in Greece
  • Length: 3,200 kilometers
  • Cities: 31
  • Archaeological sites: 15
  • Ceremonies: 28
  • Number of torchbearers: 600
  • Handover Ceremony: 19 March 2020 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens

 

Programme and Livestream Lighting Ceremony

Read more

 

Update 13 March 2020: Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay cancelled

Press release Hellenic Olympic Committee

The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) regrets very much that it has to announce the cancellation of the up-coming legs of the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. This is even more regrettable after the huge success of the relay during its first two days with big crowds gathering along the route and at the ceremonies. Unfortunately, the latest developments concerning the spread of the COVID-19 virus has led the HOC, in association with the Greek Ministry of Health, to the conclusion that this was the best possible decision in order to contribute to the containment of the virus. The Olympic Flame will be handed over as planned to the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee on Thursday, March 19th at the Panathenaic Stadium, although there will be no public in attendance.

Today’s decision was supported by the International Olympic Committee.

 

IOC Statement

We fully understand the decision taken by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) in association with the Greek Ministry of Health to cancel the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. The handover of the Olympic Flame will happen as scheduled on 19 March 2020. The International Olympic Committee confirms its full commitment to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

 

 

6. Route Japan

Route map

©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Video

 

 

Press release Tokyo 2020

Tokyo 2020’s Olympic Torch Relay Route Expected to Ignite Enthusiasm Across Japan

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) today unveiled the Olympic Torch Relay route over which the symbolic Olympic Flame will be proudly relayed to a huge number of local areas in Japan in the final 121 days culminating in the Olympic Games, igniting enthusiasm across Japan and around the world. Tokyo 2020 also unveiled the torchbearer uniforms, the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay Background Music and the application guidelines for members of the public eager to participate as inspirational torchbearers in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.

Commencing its journey on 26 March 2020 from the J-Village National Training Centre in Fukushima Prefecture, the Olympic flame will traverse all 47 prefectures of Japan, passing by many of the nation’s most famous and cherished sights, for a period of 121 days, serving as a symbol of the Olympic Games and visiting 857 local municipalities along the way. Sites for the celebrations planned in each prefecture have also been announced. The route has been designed to ensure that large numbers of people across Japan will be able to line the roadsides, cheer on the torchbearers and create a festive atmosphere. Around 98% of Japan’s population live within one hour by car or train of the proposed route of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay route will take in World Heritage Sites such as Mount Fuji and Itsukushima shrine and other historic locations and popular places, including favourite local community spots, with the charm of each being showcased during the Relay. The Relay will also take in areas that are continuing to recover from natural disasters, such as the Tohoku region, which was struck by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

 

7. Convoy

©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

Design Concept

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Convoy vehicle markings are designed to embody the Torch Relay concept “Hope Lights Our Way.” The ochre-coloured part and the flame emblazoned along the sides of the car bodies depict the journey of the Torch Relay; a distinctive touch is added by the application of the fukibokashi colour gradation techniques used in traditional woodblock printing to the background landscape.

 

Source / Read more: Website Tokyo 2020.