The Olympic Torch
STUDENT BACKGROUND
Have you ever seen the Opening Ceremony for an Olympic Games on television? If so, you probably realise it's one of the most exciting, memorable and entertaining aspects of the Games, with fireworks, laser shows and amazing dances and other whiz-bang performances.
However, it is the traditional rituals associated with each Opening Ceremony that add that special and powerful feeling to the Olympics - the raising of the Olympic flag, the parade of athletes nation by nation and of course, the arrival of the torch and lighting of the Olympic flame.
Opening Ceremony Sydney Olympics 2000 (Courtesy of BBC)
Minerals played a vital role in the making of the torch for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, and also feature in the 2008 Beijing torch.
The following will help you find out more.
Information Sheets
Flame Aims
Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch
Athens 2004 Olympic Torch
Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch
Student Activities
It's Come A Long Way (Looks at the design and use of minerals and metals in the Olympic torches)