Editing Olympic flame (section)

===Lighting of the flame===
[[File:Olympic Torch 2010.jpg|thumb|left|Lighting the Olympic flame in a [[dress rehearsal]] in Greece, using the sun's energy]] 
[[File:Olympia flame1.jpg|thumb|left|Actresses playing the role of priestesses during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony]]
The Olympic flame is ignited some weeks or months before the opening ceremony of the [[Olympic Games]] at the [[Stadium at Olympia|main site]] of the [[Ancient Olympic Games|ancient Olympics]] in [[Olympia, Greece]].

A group of women representing the [[Vestal Virgins]]<ref group="notes" >The Roman [[Vesta (mythology)|Vesta]] is derived from the Greek goddess [[Hestia]]. Hestia's rituals at the founding of a new settlement also included the transfer of a continuous flame from the founding city.</ref> (usually 11 in number) perform a celebration at the [[Temple of Hera, Olympia|Temple of Hera]], during which a fire is kindled by the light of the Sun, its rays concentrated by a [[parabolic reflector|parabolic mirror]]. The fire is used to light the first torch of the Olympic Torch Relay. Where cloudy weather prevents the use of the parabolic mirror on the day of the ceremony (as in 2024), a backup flame is used that has been lit during a prior dress rehearsal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20240416-paris-2024-olympic-flame-lit-in-greece-at-ancient-birthplace-of-the-games|title=Paris 2024 Olympic flame lit in Greece at ancient birthplace of the Games|date=16 April 2024|work=France 24}}</ref> An actress plays the role of the temple's high priestess and presents the torch and an olive branch to the first relay bearer, usually a Greek athlete who has already qualified to compete in that edition of the Games. This is followed by a recitation of a poem by [[Pindar]], and the release of a flock of doves to symbolize peace.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

At the beginning of the ceremony, the Olympic hymn is sung first followed by the national anthem of the country hosting the Olympics and the national anthem of Greece along with the hoisting of the flags.

[[File:Soihtuviesti Muuramessa 15.7.1952. Suomen Urheilumuseo..jpg|thumb|upright|Olympic torch relay, 1952]]
[[File:1996 Olympic Torch during the relay.jpg|thumb|upright|Olympic torch relay, 1996]]
[[File:Olympic Torch in Beverley (geograph 2999469).jpg|thumb|upright|Olympic torch relay, 2012]]
[[File:ISS-37 Mikhail Tyurin arrives the ISS.jpg|thumb|upright|The 2014 Olympic torch in space during [[Soyuz TMA-11M]]]]
After the ceremony at Olympia the Olympic flame first travels Greece. It first goes to the Coubertin Grove on the site of the [[International Olympic Academy]], where it is used to light an altar beside the final resting place of [[Pierre de Coubertin]]'s heart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Education |url=https://www.ioa.org.gr/the-academy/premises |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=www.ioa.org.gr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coubertin Grove |url=https://visitworldheritage.com/en/eu/coubertin-grove/3ae86e95-7799-4162-9c9e-dfd014d2348a |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=World Heritage Journeys of Europe }}</ref> The flame is then transferred during a ceremony in the [[Panathenaic Stadium]] in Athens from the [[Hellenic Olympic Committee]] to the current year's National Olympic Committee (NOC) and local Organizing Committee (OCOG) hosts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/history/ |publisher=London 2012 Olympic Games |title=Olympic Torch Relay history |access-date=25 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719144531/http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/history/ |archive-date=19 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ranger|first1=A|title=The Panathenaic|url=http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/thepanathenaicstadium/history/tabid/96/language/en-us/default.aspx|website=/www.panathenaicstadium.gr|publisher=Panathenaic Stadium 2011|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028084145/http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/ThePanathenaicStadium/History/tabid/96/language/en-US/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Olympictorche-Berlin.jpg|thumb|left|At the end of the first Olympic torch relay, the Olympic flame arrives in Berlin, 1936]]
The [[Olympic torch relay]], which transports the Olympic flame from [[Olympia, Greece|Olympia]], Greece to the various designated sites of the Games, had no ancient precedent and was introduced by [[Carl Diem]] at the [[1936 Summer Olympics]] in Berlin, Germany.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/14/sports/olympics/14torch.html?ex=1207972800&en=732b3844bc19c839&ei=5070 |work=The New York Times|department=Sports > Olympics |title=Hitler's Berlin Games Helped Make Some Emblems Popular |date=14 August 2004 |access-date=27 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424114315/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/14/sports/olympics/14torch.html?ex=1207972800&en=732b3844bc19c839&ei=5070 |archive-date=24 April 2009 }}</ref>

At the first Olympic torch relay, the flame was transported from Olympia to Berlin over 3,187 kilometers (1,980 miles) by 3,331 runners in twelve days and eleven nights. Nazi Propaganda Minister [[Joseph Goebbels]] commissioned filmmaker and propagandist [[Leni Riefenstahl]] to film the event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Klein |first1=Christopher |title=The Olympic Torch Relay's Surprising Nazi Origins |url=https://www.history.com/news/the-olympic-torch-relays-surprising-origins |website=History.com |date=12 June 2024 |access-date=28 July 2024}}</ref> 

In the 1956 Melbourne Games in Australia, local veterinary student [[Barry Larkin (Olympics)|Barry Larkin]] protested against the relay when he tricked onlookers by carrying a fake flame, consisting of a pair of underpants set on fire in a [[plum pudding]] can, attached to a chair leg. He successfully managed to hand over the fake flame to [[Mayor of Sydney]] [[Pat Hills]] and escape without being noticed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Temp/Temp-OlympicUnderwearRelay-EH.htm
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413001401/http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Temp/Temp-OlympicUnderwearRelay-EH.htm
 |url-status=dead
 |title=Olympic Underwear Relay 
 |publisher=The Birdman 
 |access-date=28 February 2017 
 |archive-date=13 April 2008
}}</ref><ref>{{cite video
 |people=[[Stephen Fry]]
 |title=QI Presents: Strictly Come Duncing
 |medium=DVD|publisher=Warner Music Entertainment|year=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |last=Turpin 
 |first=Adrian 
 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20040808/ai_n12758702 
 |title=Olympics Special: The Lost Olympians (Page 1) 
 |publisher=Find Articles, originally The Independent on Sunday 
 |date=8 August 2004 
 |access-date=6 April 2008 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413034334/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20040808/ai_n12758702 
 |archive-date=13 April 2008 
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref>

The Olympic torch travels routes that symbolise human achievement or the history of the host country. Although most of the time the torch with the Olympic flame is still carried by runners, it has been transported in many different ways. The fire travelled by boat in 1948 and 2012 to cross the [[English Channel]] and was carried by rowers in [[Canberra]] as well as by [[dragon boat]] in [[Hong Kong]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.singtao.com/breakingnews/20080502a131407.asp |script-title=zh:施幸余乘龍舟傳送火炬 |date=2 May 2008 |publisher=Singtao |language=zh |access-date=2 May 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

It was first transported by [[airplane]] in 1952 when the flame travelled to [[Helsinki]]. In 1956, all carriers in the torch relay to [[Stockholm]], where the equestrian events were held instead of in Melbourne, travelled on horseback.

Remarkable means of transportation were used in 1976, when the flame was transformed to a radio signal and transmitted from Europe to the [[New World]]: Heat sensors in [[Athens]] detected the flame, the signal was sent to [[Ottawa]] via [[satellite]] where it was received and used to trigger a [[laser]] beam to re-light the flame.<ref>Winn, L.: [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2010/blog/2010/02/17/olympic-design-canadas-torches/ Olympic Design: Torches & Cauldrons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021042510/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2010/blog/2010/02/17/olympic-design-canadas-torches/ |date=21 October 2013 }}. ''Sports Illustrated'', 17 February 2010.</ref><ref name="Montréal">{{cite web
 | url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/passion/museum/permanent/summer/montreal_uk.asp
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020208000712/http://www.olympic.org/uk/passion/museum/permanent/summer/montreal_uk.asp
 | archive-date=2002-02-08
 | url-status=dead
 | title=Montréal
 | publisher=International Olympic Committee
 | work=The Olympic Museum Lausanne
}}</ref> The torch, but not the flame, was taken into space by astronauts in 1996, 2000 and 2014.<ref>The Olympic Torch Relay: Olympic Torch Relay Highlights ''[http://www.olympic.org/olympic-torch-relay-highlights?tab=originality-of-transportation]''</ref> Other unique means of transportation include a [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] [[canoe]], a [[camel]], and [[Concorde]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_1020.pdf
 |title=Report
 |year=2008
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430064915/http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_1020.pdf
 |archive-date=30 April 2006}}</ref> The torch has been carried across water; during the French leg of the [[1968 Winter Olympics]] was carried across the port of [[Marseille]] by a diver holding it aloft above the water.<ref name="BBC, Torches" >{{Cite news
 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13424048
 |title=Torch Timeline
 |publisher=[[BBC News online]]
 |date=18 May 2011
}}</ref> In 2000, an underwater flare was used by a diver across the [[Great Barrier Reef]] en route to the Sydney Games.<ref name="ABC, 2000" >{{Cite web
 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/torch/default.htm
 |title=Olympic torch technology
 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]
 |quote=Australian runner, Ron Clarke carried a spectacular, fizzling flame into the Melbourne Olympic Stadium in 1956 only to miss out on the ceremony having his magnesium burns dressed.
 |year=2000
}}</ref> In 2012 it was carried by boat across [[Bristol Harbour]] in the UK and on the front of a [[London Underground]] train to Wimbledon.

In 2004, the first [[2004 Olympic Torch Relay|global torch relay]] was undertaken, a journey that lasted 78 days. The Olympic flame covered a distance of more than 78,000&nbsp;km in the hands of some 11,300 torchbearers, travelling to Africa and South America for the first time, visiting all previous and future Summer Olympic cities, and finally returning to [[Greece]] for the [[2004 Summer Olympics]].

The [[2008 Summer Olympics torch relay]] spanned six continents before proceeding through [[China]]. However, there was protests against China's human rights record in London where a "ring of steel" was formed around the flame to protect it, but one protester managed to grab hold of the torch while it was being held by television presenter [[Konnie Huq]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lews|first1=Paul|last2=Kelso|first2=Paul|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/07/olympicgames2008.china2|title=Thousands protest as Olympic flame carried through London|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=7 April 2008|access-date=18 May 2011}}</ref> In Paris the torch was extinguished at least twice by Chinese officials (five times according to French police)<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lexpress.fr/info/quotidien/actu.asp?id=469562 "Flamme olympique: ce qui s'est vraiment passé à Paris"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412041828/http://www.lexpress.fr/info/quotidien/actu.asp?id=469562|date=12 April 2008}}, ''L'Express'', 8 April 2008</ref> so that it could be transported in a bus amid protests while it was being paraded through Paris.<ref>{{cite web | website=thisislondon.co.uk | date=4 April 2008 | title=Paris protests force Olympic flame to be extinguished | url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23475330-details/Paris+protests+force+Olympic+flame+to+be+extinguished/article.do | access-date=19 April 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408134410/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23475330-details/Paris+protests+force+Olympic+flame+to+be+extinguished/article.do | archive-date=8 April 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.france24.com/en/20080408-olympic-torch-inflames-protesters-san-francisco-2008-beijing-olympics-usa&navi=MONDE "China condemns Olympic torch disruptions"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223060402/http://www.france24.com/en/20080408-olympic-torch-inflames-protesters-san-francisco-2008-beijing-olympics-usa%26navi%3DMONDE |date=23 February 2012 }}, France 24, 8 April 2008</ref> This eventually led to the cancellation of the relay's last leg in the city.<ref>{{cite news
| url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23978408/
| title=Paris protests force cancellation of torch relay.
| publisher=[[msnbc.com]]
| date=7 April 2008
| access-date=7 April 2008
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408070101/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23978408/
| archive-date=8 April 2008
| url-status=dead
}}</ref> Demonstrations were also held in [[San Francisco]] and the route the torch would take was cut in half.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Francisco authorities forced to shorten torch relay route |date=2008-04-09 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730125314/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/09/olympicgames2008.usa1 |archive-date=2021-07-30 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/09/olympicgames2008.usa1}}</ref>

As a result, in 2009, the International Olympic Committee announced that from the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] onward, the future torch relays could be held only within the country hosting the Olympics after the initial Greek leg was finished.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/sports/othersports/28torch.html |title=I.O.C. Bars International Torch Relays |last=Zinser |first=Lynn |date=27 March 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=3 August 2012}}</ref> Although this rule took effect with the [[2010 Winter Olympics]], the organizers of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London, the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in Sochi, and [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio de Janeiro chose to hold their torch relays only in their respective hosting countries of the United Kingdom, Russia, and Brazil (except for brief stops in the United States, Ireland, and Switzerland, respectively).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://stillmedab.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Factsheets-Reference-Documents/Games/Torches/Reference-document-Torches-and-Torch-Relays-of-the-OWG.pdf#_ga=2.59728174.2084039747.1617612205-152727319.1616704223 |title=Torches and Torch Relays of the Olympic Winter Games from Oslo 1952 to PyeongChang 2018 |access-date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429003020/https://stillmedab.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Factsheets-Reference-Documents/Games/Torches/Reference-document-Torches-and-Torch-Relays-of-the-OWG.pdf#_ga=2.59728174.2084039747.1617612205-152727319.1616704223 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://www.olympic.org/news/the-2012-london-games-torch-relay-an-inspiring-journey The 2012 London Games Torch Relay: an inspiring journey]</ref> In 2016, ten days before the beginning of the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in {{nowrap|Rio de Janeiro}}, citizens of {{nowrap|[[Angra dos Reis]]}}, a city near {{nowrap|Rio de Janeiro}}, managed to extinguish the Olympic flame during a protest against the city spending money on hosting the Olympics despite [[2014-2016 Brazilian economic recession|an economic crisis in Brazil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://plus55.com/sports/2016/07/protesters-put-out-olympic-torch-rio|title=PROTESTERS PUT OUT THE OLYMPIC TORCH IN RIO|language=en-us|access-date=2016-07-29}}</ref>

The Olympic torch relay in the host country ends with the lighting of the Olympic [[cauldron]] during the [[Olympic opening ceremonies|opening ceremony]] in the central host stadium of the Games. The final carrier is often kept unannounced until the last moment. Over the years, it has become a tradition to let a famous athlete of the host nation, former athletes or athletes with significant achievements and milestones be the last runner in the Olympic torch relay.