Beijing 2022; Torch Design

Video

 

Press release


Beijing 2022 unveils Olympic torch as one-year countdown begins

Beijing will light the Olympic flame for a second time with ‘a blazing ribbon’after organizers unveiled an ethereal yet dynamic torch design for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 to kick off the one-year countdown.

The Olympic torch, both named as “Flying”, debuted at a ceremony in Beijing’s iconic 2008 Summer Games venue the National Aquatics Center on Thursday where the curling competition will take place in 2022, marking the start of the 365-day countdown to the opening of the Games on Feb 4 next year.

The torch spirals upward to resemble two overlapping fluttering ribbons. The inner red ribbon evokes rising flames, with the outer one plated in silver to produce a striking contrast.

Beaming with dynamism and vitality, the two-tone torch presents a metaphor of ice and fire, symbolizing how it will bring light and warmth to the winter sports celebration.

The torch features the emblem of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on its mid-section, with patterns of clouds and snowflakes painted from the bottom up to the flame.

As the torch turns, the whirling red line hidden in the gap seems to stretch endlessly, representing mankind’s relentless pursuit of light, peace, excellence and the values promoted by the Olympic Movement.

“To introduce the torch at the start of the one-year countdown, we wish to kindle the enthusiasm and anticipation for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games all around the world,” said Wang Xiangyu, a deputy director of the Culture and Ceremonies Department of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.

“The successful design of the torch has proved again that the Olympics always set the stage for the integration of sports, culture, art and science.”

To honor Beijing’s status as the world’s first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, the 2022 torch features a similar design to the 2008 Games’ main cauldron, which resembled a giant scroll, highlighting the Olympic spirit’s legacy in the Chinese capital.

The cloud patterns covering the handle of the torch also draws inspiration from the main visual element of the 2008 torch, according to the design team.

“By using the same color combination and by sharing similar artistic elements with the 2008 torch, we aim to extend auspicious greetings to the world as we did at the Summer Games and to showcase Beijing’s rich Olympic culture,” said Li Jianye, the designer of the torch’s appearance.

Sharing the same structure and patterns, the torch for the Paralympic Winter Games, which was also unveiled on Thursday, features a different color scheme of gold and silver. The lower section of the torch is engraved with Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Braille.

Another design highlight allows both torches to lock into each other at the top when torchbearers exchange the flame during the Torch Relay, symbolizing Beijing 2022’s vision to promote mutual understanding and respect between different cultures.

The final design was selected from 182 entries into a global competition launched in April 2020.The combination of Chinese aesthetic value, traditional cultural connotations and advanced technology helped the winning design team stand out, according to the judge.

“The current design strikes a perfect balance between the expression of the host nation’s culture, Olympism and the demonstration of the latest industrial technology,” said Lu Xiaobo, a member on the judging panel and dean of the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University.

Using a combustion system developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the torch fueled by hydrogen most of the time (propane at certain circumstances), was designed and has undergone rigorous testing to burn reliably in most weather conditions and to withstand strong winds and extreme low temperatures.

Made of carbon-fiber materials, the torch is light in weight and resistant to high temperatures.

Planning for the Torch Relay and selection of torchbearers for the Games are underway with detailed information to be released in due course, according to the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.

 

Tokyo 2020; Paralympic Torch Relay – Schedule

Part 1

The flame of passion will burn brightly in various locations across Japan
13th August 2020 ~ 17th August 2020

A Heritage Flame Celebration will be held in Stoke Mandeville in Great Britain – the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement – and flame-lighting festivals will take place at several locations across the host country, Japan, between 13 and 17 August. These flames will also visit schools, hospitals and facilities connected with the Paralympics in each prefecture of Japan.

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

 

43 Prefectures

Prefectures Details
1 Hokkaido Flames will be lit and depart
2 Aomori Flames will be lit at 7 cities, combined in Aomori City and depart from Misawa City
3 Iwate Flames will be lit at 33 cities, combined and depart from Morioka City
4 Miyagi Flames will be lit at 9 cities, combined and depart from Sendai City
5 Akita Flames will be lit at 25 cities, combined and depart from Akita City
6 Yamagata Flames will be lit at 35 cities, combined and depart
7 Fukushima Flame will be lit and depart from Koriyama City
8 Ibaraki Flame will be lit and depart from Mito City
9 Tochigi Flames will be lit at 22 cities, then combined and depart
10 Gunma Flames will be lit at 6 cities, combined and depart from Isesaki City
11 Kanagawa Flames will be lit at 33 cities, combined and depart from Yokohama City
12 Niigata Flames will be lit at 30 cities, combined and depart from Niigata City
13 Toyama Flames will be lit at 15 cities, combined and depart from Toyama City
14 Ishikawa Flames will be lit at 7 cities, combined and depart from Kanazawa City
15 Fukui Flames will be lit at 17 cities, combined and depart from Fukui City
16 Yamanashi Flames will be lit at 5 cities, combined and depart from Kofu City
17 Nagano Flames will be lit at 13 cities, combined and depart from Nagano City
18 Gifu Flames will be lit at 25 cities, combined and depart from Gifu City
19 Aichi Flames will be lit at 49 cities, combined and depart from Nagoya City
20 Mie Flames will be lit at 29 cities, combined and depart from Tsu City
21 Shiga Flame will be lit and depart from Higashiomi City
22 Kyoto Flames will be lit at 16 cities, combined and depart from Kyoto City
23 Osaka Flames will be lit at several cities, then combined and depart
24 Hyogo Flames will be lit at 36 cities, combined and depart from Kobe City
25 Nara Flame will be lit and depart from Nara City
26 Wakayama Flame will be lit and depart from Tanabe City
27 Tottori Flames will be lit at 2 cities, combined and depart from Kurayoshi City
28 Shimane Flames will be lit at 11 cities, combined and depart from Matsue City
29 Okayama Flames will be lit at 27 cities, then combined and depart
30 Hiroshima Flames will be lit at 23 cities, combined and depart from Hiroshima City
31 Yamaguchi Flames will be lit at 19 cities, then combined and depart from Yamaguchi City
32 Tokushima Flames will be lit at 24 cities, combined and depart from Tokushima City
33 Kagawa Flames will be lit at 9 cities, combined and depart from Takamatsu City
34 Ehime Flames will be lit at 3 cities, combined and depart from Matsuyama City
35 Kochi Flames will be lit at several cities, then combined and depart
36 Fukuoka Flames will be lit at 33 cities, then combined and depart from Fukuoka City
37 Saga Flame will be lit and depart from Saga City
38 Nagasaki Flames will be lit at 5 cities, combined and depart from Nagasaki City
39 Kumamoto Flames will be lit at 24 cities, combined and depart from Kumamoto City
40 Oita Flames will be lit at 18 cities, combined and depart from Beppu City
41 Miyazaki Flame will be lit and depart from Miyazaki City
42 Kagoshima Flame will be lit and depart from Kagoshima City
43 Okinawa Flames will be lit at 16 cities, combined and depart from Naha City

 

Part 2

The brilliant light tours the co-host prefectures of the Paralympic Games
18th August 2020 ~ 21st August 2020

In addition to the flame-lighting festival and flame visits (optional), torch relays will be held in these three prefectures, each of which will host Paralympic events. Teams of three torchbearers will transport the flame, aiming to boost public interest and support ahead of the Paralympic Games.

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

 

Dates

  • 18 August 2020: Shizuoka Prefecture
  • 19 August 2020: Chiba Prefecture
  • 20 August 2020: Saitama Prefecture
  • 21 August 2020: Tokyo Prefecture

 

Part 3

All the passion supporting the Paralympics comes together as one. The Paralympic Flame is Born!
22nd August 2020 ~ 25th August 2020

The flames from each flame lighting festival and the torch relays from all over Japan will be brought together in Tokyo on the 21st of August where the official Paralympic Flame will be lit. The final four days of the Paralympic Torch Relay will then commence in Tokyo.

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

 

Dates

  • 22 August 2020: Chiyoda City →Taito City→Sumida City→Koto City→Edogawa City
  • 23 August 2020: Kunitachi City→Hino City→Tachikawa City→Higashiyamato City→Kokubunji City
  • 24 August 2020: Nishitokyo City→Mitaka City→Fuchu City→Chofu City→Setagaya City
  • 25 August 2020: Chuo City→Minato City→Shibuya City

 

Read more

Tokyo 2020; Paralympic Torch Manufacturing Process Video

In line with the concept ‘Share Your Light’, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch will be created in Tokyo in August 2020 by the coming together of the collective passion of everyone who is supporting the Paralympics.

The torch for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay will symbolise the coming together of the sentiments of everyone involved with and supporting the Paralympic Games.

The shape of Japan – a cherry blossom motif
The torch for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay has been created in a traditional form using the aluminium extrusion manufacturing technology used in the production of the shinkansen bullet train.

Completely seamless – produced from a single sheet of metal.
A form that symbolises the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay created by Japanese tradition and advanced technological capabilities.

 

Video: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on YouTube

Tokyo 2020; Paralympic Torch Relay

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

 

Concept: Share Your Light

In line with the concept “Share Your Light”, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay will raise excitement and create a festive-like atmosphere for the Paralympics.

This expresses the sentiment that the light emitted from new individual encounters will be brought together to engender harmony and will be shone brightly on society. It also demonstrates Tokyo 2020’s determination to help achieve a fully-inclusive society by the gathering and meeting of the “light” – human beings – who provide hope and support to others through the Paralympic Torch Relay.

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

 

Schedule

Date Location Event outline
13 – 17 August 2020 Various prefectures (TBD) Flame Lighting Event
Flame Visits
Departure Ceremony
18 August 2020 Shizuoka Prefecture
(co-host prefecture)
Flame Lighting Event
Flame Visits
Torch relay
Departure Ceremony
19 August 2020 Chiba Prefecture
(co-host prefecture)
Flame Lighting Event
Flame Visits
Torch relay
Departure Ceremony
20 August 2020 Saitama Prefecture
(co-host prefecture)
Flame Lighting Event
Flame Visits
Torch relay
Departure Ceremony
21 August 2020 Tokyo (Host City) Flame Lighting Event
Flame Visits
Torch relay
21August 2020 (evening) Tokyo (Host City) Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony
22 – 25 August 2020 Tokyo (Host City) Paralympic Torch Relay around the Host City

* The date of the Heritage Flame Lighting Event in Stoke Mandeville is still to be decided.

 

Torch design

 

Visual identity

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

 

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

Tokyo 2020; 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