A sprinkler system, added to a second wind tunnel, tested the flame against both wind and rain. According to Steven Hill, from Fuel and Combustion Technology, the researchers were mildly surprised to see the torch survive better in hard than soft rain.
The mystery was revealed to be the steam factor. In hard rain, steam could not rise from metallic surfaces but in lighter rain the body of the torch began to steam and the steam could extinguish the flame. In the final design, the thin surrounding metal cools quickly to prevent prevent steam from posing a threat. The spiritual meaning given to the journey of the Olympic flame has made it customary for the flame to stay alight continuously from the time it leaves Olympia, until it is extinguished at the end of the closing ceremony.
Transporting the torch throughout the world has presented organisers with some interesting problems. International air safety regulations do not allow naked flame aboard aircraft, so the flame is stored in miner's Davis Lanterns in flight and when the torch procession breaks for the night.
A custom designed cradle allows the lanterns to be strapped into any aircraft seat. This leg will use a combustion system based on a reduced intensity marine distress flare. It will last only three minutes instead of the usual 16 to 20 minutes. If the torch goes out there is no need to call off the games or return to Olympia to re-light the flame.
Flameouts have happened before. The Atlanta torch had a 'quick design review' while still in Greece and the Nagano torch experienced multiple flameouts over seven days. After each flameout, the torches were re-ignited with flame from a miner's lantern, also lit by the original sacred flame.
The team from Adelaide has also been called up to design and build burners for the community cauldrons used during twice-daily formal ceremonial occasions. Eight burners are making their way around the country, re-used in cauldrons that end up as souvenir mementos for the host community. Finally, there's the 'main burner', the final resting place for the Olympic flame at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Richard Kelso, from Adelaide University is keen to talk about torches, fuel lines, burners and cauldrons but on the subject of the main burner Kelso is suddenly tight lipped.
The Olympic torch has been used in every Olympics since the modern Games began in This year, Japan used using the torch to light the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics Japan. The torch is lit in Olympia, Greece, where the first Olympic Games were held more than 2, years ago. Most countries participating make and use their own cauldron for their athletes — Japan used an aluminum one made from recycled housing material used to support those affected by the Fukushima disaster.
The design uses both solar and wind power to generate hydrogen fuel cells to run its mechanism. The identity of the cauldron lighter is kept under wraps until the Opening Ceremony, so we will have to wait until July 23 to find out who gets the honor at the Tokyo Olympics.
Enriqueta Basilio, a Mexican sprinter, became the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron at the Mexico City Olympics. Johnson, a gold medalist in the decathlon, was also the first African American to carry the United States flag during an Opening Ceremony, doing so at the Games in Rome.
Antonio Rebello had one of the more thrilling lightings at the Olympics in Barcelona. The three-time Paralympic medalist in archery shot a flaming arrow at the cauldron from nearly feet away. It appeared to be a direct hit as the cauldron was set aflame, but years later it was revealed Rebello was told to shoot the arrow outside the stadium as a precaution. The cauldron was lit by remote control as the arrow flew over. Three-time world heavyweight champion and global icon Muhammad Ali was the final torchbearer for the Olympics.
Ready to keep learning? Find an adult friend or family member who can help you with one or more of the activities below! Hi Lucas! Hop on over to our Wonder Bank --that's where the suggestions for future Wonders are submitted! Hi, Brady! The Olympic torch relay begins at the site of the ancient Olympics in Olympia, Greece. Hi, hunter!! The Olympic flame is relit several months before each new Olympic Games. Hi, jeffrey! The torch relay really has had some interesting methods of transportation throughout the years!
It's crazy to think that in , the Olympic flame was converted to a radio signal that was sent from Athens via satellite to Canada, where it then triggered a laser beam that was used to relight the flame!
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That should help answer your question!! Sounds like a good question for our Wonder Bank! Good one, Ryan! Hey there, William! By researching this Wonder question, we learned that it is actually relit several months before each new Olympic Games.
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