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The torch carrying the flame |
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The torch that will carry the Olympic flame across Oceania and Australia is quite different. It is supposed to look like the Sydney Opera House, the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the curve of the boomerang. The Olympic torch, created by Blue Sky Design of Sydney, includes three layers which stand for earth, fire and water. The inner layer is polished stainless steel, the middle layer is anodized aluminum and the outer layer is specially coated aluminum. The inner combustion system is made from copper, brass, aluminum and stainless steel. The Olympic flame must be safe, burn brightly, be environmentally friendly and be able to survive any weather. Flames tend to blow out in bad weather but this torch should survive strong winds and heavy rain. The torch weighs just over one kilogram and is 72 centimeters tall. The canister of fuel will burn for 20 minutes and used fuel canisters and leftover fuel will be recycled. On a typical day, 75 torchbearers will run about 500 metres each, which means most of the distance will be covered in cars and planes. To keep the flame alive on these journeys the "mother flame" will be kept burning in a miner's lantern which is then used to light new torches. Each runner will use a new torch, which means about 12,000 torches are needed, and every one of them will get to keep their torch provided they pay the cost price, likely to be around $300 (Australian). |