Tokyo 2020; Torch Relay Route
Route map
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.
Tokyo 2020; Paralympic Torch Relay
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
Tokyo 2020; Visual Identity Torch Relay
Emblem
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
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
Tokyo 2020; Schedule Olympic Torch Relay
Source: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
– 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
– 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
PyeongChang 2018; 100 Days to go! – The Olympic Flame has arrived in the Republic of Korea
Today, with 100 days to go until the start of the Olympic Games, the Olympic flame has arrived in the Republic of Korea.
The @OlympicFlame arrives in Incheon #100DaysToGo @PyeongChang2018 @Olympics pic.twitter.com/pR2GGZFv44
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) 1 november 2017
그리스-대한민국, 비행기에서 하루 밤을 보낸 #올림픽 성화! 오늘(11.1)오전 11시, 페이스북 라이브로 성화의 도착 순간을!
The #Olympicflame for #PyeongChang2018 spend a night in the flight. pic.twitter.com/CvKlLSmLUu— PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) 1 november 2017
PyeongChang 2018 will be your moment to shine https://t.co/ElFpchBpP2 @PyeongChang2018
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) 1 november 2017
Read more about the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics
» Introduction + Venue Map
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» Competition Schedule
» Transportation
» Look of the Games
» Torch Relay
» News / Blogposts
PyeongChang 2018; Handover Ceremony in Panathenaic Stadium
The Olympic flame is due to be handed over to the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Athens on Tuesday, October 31.
Panathenaic Stadium: Facts & Figures
Timeline
- 6th century BC: Simple racecourse
- 330 BC: First stadium built for the Panathenaic Games
- 144 AD: Rebuilt in marble (50,000 seats)
- 4th century: Stadium abandoned
- 1869: Stadium excavated
- 1896: After renovation the main venue for the first modern Olympics
- 2004: Used for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
Location
Programme Handover Ceremony
The “PyeongChang 2018” Handover ceremony will take place tomorrow October 31
The Handover ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the XXIII PyeongChang 2018 winter Olympic Games will take place tomorrow, October 31st, at the Panathenaic Stadium, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos.
The Handover ceremony will begin at 11.00 with sport – cultural events from Greece and the Republic of Korea.
The Greek General Gymnastics Team “Olympiada Thakomakedonon”, consisting of 90 young male and female participants will present the programme “the Wolves and the Moon”.
The Republic of Korea will create a lyrical atmosphere with dances and songs from the Republic of Korea and will also present the Olympic Torch Relay theme.
The last torchbearer who will enter the Panathenaic Stadium is the champion in skiing Ioannis Proios. Second to last torchbearer will be the former speed skating athlete KIM Ki-hoon, three-time gold medalist of the Republic of Korea.
The High Priestess is the actress Katerina Lehou, the choreographer is Artemis Ignatiou, while the musical composer is Yiannis Psimadas.
Source: The Hellenic Olympic Committee
PyeongChang 2018; Start Olympic Torch Relay
Today, the Olympic Flame will be lit in Olympia, marking the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay.
Route & Schedule
2017
October 24; Lighting Ceremony Ancient Olympia, Greece – Leg 1: Greece
October 31; Handover Ceremony Panathinaiko Stadium, Athens, Greece
November 1; Arrival of the Flame in Incheon – Leg 2: Republic of Korea
2018
February 9; Opening Ceremony
Watch the route in this video on YouTube
Torch
Read more about the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch
Facts and figures
- 7,500 Torchbearers
- Slogan: Let Everyone Shine
- 2,018 Support runners
- Leg 1; Greece
- 8 Days
- Leg 2; Republic of Korea
- 101 Days
- 17 Cities and Provinces
- 2,018 km
PyeongChang 2018; Programme Olympic Flame-Lighting Ceremony Tuesday 24 October
Olympic Flame-Lighting Ceremony
Location: Olympia
Date: Tuesday 24 October 2017
PROGRAMME OF THE LIGHTING CEREMONY
12:00 – Opening of the Ceremony
– Olympic Rings: a synthesis
– Olympic Anthem – Hoisting of the Olympic Flag
– National Anthem of South Korea – Hoisting of South Korea’s Flag
– National Anthem of Greece – Hoisting of the Greek Flag
The anthems are performed by the Children’s and Youth Choirs of Lavreotiki and Markopoulo Municipalities
– “The Light of Olympia”, Takis Doxas’ poem recited by Mr. Yiannis Stankoglou
– Address by the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Efthymios Kotzas
– Address by the President of the “PyeongChang” Organising Committee, Mr. Lee Hee-beom
– Address by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach
– Address by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Capralos
12:25 – Entry of the designated officials in the Temple of Hera
– Ritual of the Lighting Ceremony at the Temple of Hera
– Entry of the High Priestess and the Priestesses into the Ancient Stadium with the Olympic Flame
– Dance performance by the Priestesses
12:50 – Handing over of the Olympic Flame by the High Priestess to the first Torchbearer
– Departure of the first Torchbearer for the Pierre de Coubertin Monument
– Opening of the Olympic Torch Relay
All times are local times
Source: Hellenic Olympic Committee