Olympic and Paralympic torches - rio2016.com

Olympic and
Paralympic torches
Lesson 2
The Rio 2016 Games torch
Rio 2016 | Version 1.0
Objectives
In this lesson, you learn more about:
1 | Main features of the
Rio 2016 Games torch
2 | The relay of the Olympic flame
3 | The relay of the Paralympic flame
Introduction
Movement, innovation, Brazilian flavor...
These words define one of the most important elements of the Rio 2016
Olympic and Paralympic Games: the torch.
After all, besides spreading the Olympic spirit, the torch acts as a
Brazilian ambassador, showing the rest of the world the very best Brazil
has to offer.
Therefore, it conveys many of the qualities of our country and people, such as
human warmth, captivating vitality, diversity, Brazilian flavor, and
bountiful nature.
Introduction
But how does the torch design convey all of these features?
That is what we will find out in this lesson, which details the main
elements guiding the creation and the nitty-gritty behind the
innovative torch of the Rio 2016 Games.
In addition, you will learn more about the details behind the Olympic
and Paralympic flame relay ritual – one of the most anticipated and
impactful moments of the Games.
Ready? Let’s go!
1
Main features of
the Rio 2016 torch
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016
Games torch
After a thorough selection process,
including no less than 76 applicants
and 11 jurors, the
Rio 2016 Games Olympic torch was
finally unveiled!
The Opera
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016
Games torch
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
The torch design
concept
Would you like to see the images
that influenced the concept of
the torch? Watch the video.
Diversity, vivacity and nature,
represented by the sea, mountains,
sky, sun and the colors of the
Brazilian flag.
These were the concepts used by the
torch designers when creating its early
sketches, as well as its expansion
mechanism, revealing the essence of the
Rio 2016 Torch.
Olympic Torch - Rio 2016
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
The pillars of the torch
The torch design was based on 4 pillars:
Olympic Spirit, Harmonic Diversity, Bountiful Nature, and Captivating Vitality.
1. Olympic Spirit
The triangular format refers to the
Olympic values of
Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
2. Harmonic Diversity
Its individual parts were integrated to
represent the values of unity and
diversity.
3. Bountiful Nature
The organic format and clippings
refer to the colors of Brazil and the
Rio 2016 games brand.
4. Captivating Vitality
Its expanding movement releases
energy to light the flame and spread
the captivating warmth
of the torch.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
The sky, mountains, sea and earth:
The essence of Brazilian flavor in the torch
Sky:
The sun and sky represent the highest point of
the torch, which sheds light on everything and
everyone around it – just like the Brazilian
people.
Mountains:
They are part of Rio de Janeiro’s natural beauty, represented
by green curves.
Sea:
An essential part of many Brazilians’ lives, particularly those
from Rio de Janeiro, represented by the blue, organic and
flowing waves in the design.
Earth:
The earth represents the history of Brazil. It is represented by
the iconic curves of the Copacabana boardwalk.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
Open: 69cm
high
Movement, innovation,
Brazilian flavor
Closed:
63.5-cm
high
Manufactured in
recyclable
aluminum
These are the main features of the torch.
Movement is seen in its curves and its “upand-down” mechanism. Innovation is shown
through its flame lighting mechanism and
recyclable materials. The Brazilian flavor is
seen in its green, yellow, while and blue colors.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
Innovation and Sustainability
Innovation and sustainability is part of the Rio 2016 Games torch’s DNA.
Manufactured in recycled aluminum and resin, the torch is made exclusively of reused materials.
The automatic expansion movement of its lines during the passage of the Olympic flame is one of its main
innovations. Its format was conceived to facilitate handling during the relay marathon.
Flame:
Texture:
Triangular mesh
with satin finish.
Featuring a unique
lighting system: the
torch expands and lights up
when in contact with a lit
torch.
Centre of Gravity:
Its design
facilitates
handling.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 1 | Main features of the Rio 2016 torch
To reflect on
The Rio 2016 Olympic torch represents Friendship,
Excellence and Respect – extremely important Olympic
values –, as well as elements of nature, which translate
into joy, vitality, unity and diversity of the Brazilian
people, as well as the sun, the ocean, the mountains...
Ask your students to think about its key qualities,
indicating 4 elements of nature (e.g. the moon, earth,
sand, water... the sky is the limit!) that represent these
features.
This is a great exercise to develop students’ creativity and
synthesis skills, in addition to being a playful way to get
to know each student better.
2
The relay of the
Olympic flame
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016
Games torch
Chapter 2| The relay of the Olympic torch
The relay of the Olympic flame
The long awaited ritual will mark
the clash between the ancestral
warmth of the Olympic flame
and the human warmth of the
Brazilian people.
That is when the torch’s segments open
and release energy for the “kiss” – when
the flame passes on from one torch to the
other.
The “Kiss”: when one torch lights the other
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 2| The relay of the Olympic torch
The beginning of the flame’s journey
During a traditional ceremony that takes place
every four years in Greece, the Rio 2016 Olympic
flame will be lit between April and May 2016.
Then, it will head out to Brasília, where one of the
most symbolic moments take place: the relay ritual
– which lasts 90 to 100 days. The people
participating in this unforgettable moment will
carry the torch for approximately 200 meters.
The role of each individual carrying the torch
is to promote the Olympic values through a
chain, handing over the torch from one to
another to celebrate the unity of the
Brazilian people.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Brazil united for the relay
The flame relay ritual will cover 10,000 air
miles covering parts of Northern and MidWestern Brazil, in addition to 20,000
kilometers of Brazilian roads and streets.
All of this while the flame burns bright!
So far, 83 Brazilian cities have already been
confirmed as visiting sites of the relay ritual,
including the 26 state capitals and Brasília.
At the end of each relay day, the flame will
“sleep” in one of these cities, except in case of
technical stops or special passage moments.
Chapter 2| The relay of the Olympic torch
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016
Games torch
Chapter 2| The relay of the Olympic torch
The Opening ceremony
The Olympic flame relay ritual ends on a specific
date: August 5, 2016, when the last carrier will
light the Olympic pyre during the Rio 2016
Olympic Games Opening ceremony, in Maracanã.
The ceremony is one of the most anticipated
moments among the audience, and only the
contagious energy of Brazilians can create such
as beautiful and
exciting party!
Approximately 90% of all Brazilians are expected to
witness this exciting party, as well as the relay
ritual.
Images of the 2012 London Games opening ceremony.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 2| The relay of the Olympic torch
Learn more...
As you already know, the flame in the torch comes from
the original flame lit during the ritual performed in Olympia,
Greece.
But carrying only a small sample of such flame through
several countries during the relay ritual is a bit risky, right?
That is why the Olympic delegation always carries backup
lanterns also lit with the Olympia flames.
That is a simple and safe way to make sure the flame never
goes out. Let’s face it: that is a much better alternative
than going all the way back to Greece
and start over, right?
3
The relay of the
Paralympic flame
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016
Games torch
Chapter 3| The relay of the Paralympic torch
The relay of the Paralympic
flame
The Paralympic Games are a global
celebration of diversity and resilience; the
flame relay ritual could not be any
different.
It is the time in which all Brazilians share their warmth
and vitality to spread the Paralympic flame.
The relay ritual will take seven days, involving
approximately 500 torch carriers across five Brazilian
cities, besides the host city of Rio de Janeiro.
Paralympic Brand | Rio 2016
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
Chapter 3| The relay of the Paralympic torch
Interactivity and tradition in the Paralympic relay ritual
Part of the ritual will be interactive, inviting both Brazilians and foreigners to send their “personal flames”
to the participating cities. This democratic process will be conducted via social media.
Through such interaction, physical flames will be lit in September 2016 in all five cities chosen to represent
each Brazilian region, featuring single-day relay rituals. A sixth flame will be lit in the British city of Stoke
Mandeville – birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.
These six flames will come together in the host city of the Games – Rio de Janeiro – to form the Paralympic
flame. It will parade through the city for two consecutive days until the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Opening
ceremony, on September 7, 2016, at the Maracanã Stadium.
Lesson 2| The Rio 2016 Games torch
What would your
personal flame look like?
How about using the Paralympic flame relay campaign as
inspiration, in which the audience is invited to send their
personal flames to the relay ritual?
Ask your students to conceive a flame that symbolizes the
message they would like to convey to the Paralympic
athletes.
Then, ask them to draw their flames. They can use
different colors, cutouts and collages.
Finally, put their drawings on display in the classroom or
school corridors for all students to see their creations.
Chapter 3| The relay of the Paralympic torch
Conclusion
You have completed Lesson 2, The torch | Rio 2016 of the
Olympic and Paralympic torches course.
In this lesson, you learned more about the Rio 2016 torch and
its main features: human warmth, captivating vitality,
diversity, Brazilian flavor, and bountiful nature.
In addition, you learned about all the details behind the
Olympic and Paralympic flame relay ritual, which celebrates
unity, diversity and overcoming adversity.
Congratulations!
You have completed the Olympic
and Paralympic torches course.
CATALOG RECORD
Title: Olympic and Paralympic torches
Subject: The Rio 2016 Games torch
Keywords: Olympic torch, Paralympic torch, features, concepts, ritual, relay
Publication date: 02/2016
Edition: 1st Edition
Author/Creator: Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Brazilian Olympic Committee – COB
Collaboration:
Rio 2016 Committee Torch Relay Area
Images:
Rio 2016 Stock Photos
Getty Images
Document Type: Digital Lesson
Language: English
Digital Object: Presentation Slide
Format: .pptx and .pdf
Original site: www.rio2016.com/educacao