Before every Olympic game, the Olympic official torch is passed around the world, it’s journey ending with the Opening Ceremony in the hosting city. This is a lasting tradition that has been going on ever since the Olympics started in Ancient Greece. As the start of the next Olympic games in Sochi, Russia is approaching, it seems appropriate to start the excitement by following the path of the torch. The torch’s journey, which started in Moscow on October 7th, currently is being passed around 136 cities in Russia before reaching its destination in Sochi.
The renowned “Olympic torch” actually isn’t just one torch. Every new Olympic games there is a new design of the torch to represent the country and city that will host the Olympics. This year’s torch is red representing Russia but also has designs on it, signifying the past and present of their country. However there is a common misconception when people say “the passing of the torch”. Each “torchbearer” has one torch, and they pass on the flame from each person throughout the journey.
Each “torchbearer” is set to have the torch for about 1 day and then pass the fire to the next person. If all goes to plan, the torch is set to arrive in Sochi on February 7th, the beginning of the games.