query: when did the first torch relay take place

pos: 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay was the first of its kind, following on from the reintroduction of the Olympic Flame at the 1928 Games. It pioneered the modern convention of moving the flame via a relay system from Greece to the Olympic venue. Leni Riefenstahl filmed the relay for the award-winning but controversial 1938 film "Olympia". The Olympic flame was introduced to the modern Games in 1928 when it burnt atop a pillar above the stadium in Amsterdam. Four years later the same was repeated in Los Angeles. At both of these events the

pos: 1940 Summer Olympics torch relay too was cancelled after the outbreak of World War II. At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin the first torch relay event took place, starting a tradition that has continued in all the Games that have taken place since. Both National Olympic Committees had given details about their plan for the Olympic Torch relay. The distance from Olympia to Berlin made it possible to hold a relay on foot in a reasonable amount of time, but the distance to Tokyo gave the IOC cause for concern. They discussed the viability of such an undertaking on numerous occasions and eventually decided

pos: 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from July 17 until July 29, 1948, prior to the 1948 Summer Olympics, held in London, United Kingdom. The relay was nicknamed the "relay of peace". It was only the second occasion that a torch relay was held for the Olympics; the first was at the 1936 Summer Olympics. There were three types of torches designed for use on the relay: a standard solid fuel powered torch made of aluminium, a special butane gas torch used on board HMS "Whitesand Bay", and a final torch used to

pos: 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay was the first of its kind, following on from the reintroduction of the Olympic Flame at the 1928 Games. It pioneered the modern convention of moving the flame via a relay system from Greece to the Olympic venue. Leni Riefenstahl filmed the relay for the award-winning but controversial 1938 film "Olympia". The Olympic flame was introduced to the modern Games in 1928 when it burnt atop a pillar above the stadium in Amsterdam. Four years later the same was repeated in Los Angeles. At both of these events the

pos: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay The 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from March 24 until August 8, 2008, prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics, with the theme of "one world, one dream". Plans for the relay were announced on April 26, 2007, in Beijing, China. The relay, also called by the organizers as the "Journey of Harmony", lasted 129 days and carried the torch – the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay since the tradition was started ahead of the 1936 Summer Olympics. After being lit at the birthplace of the Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece on

pos: 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay as the starting point for the final relay runner. Fritz Schilgen, a three time 1500m champion, was suggested by former German athletics president Karl Ritter von Halt as the final runner. Schilgen, viewed as a "symbol of German sporting youth", was accepted by the three advisory boards. One of these, the aesthetics commission, included film-maker Riefenstahl on the panel. 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1936 Summer Olympics torch relay was the first of its kind, following on from the reintroduction of the Olympic Flame at the 1928 Games. It pioneered the modern convention of moving the flame via a

neg: 2010 Summer Youth Olympics torch relay Kuan Yew lit the cauldron at Marina Bay. However, the Youth Olympic flame was to last till the closing ceremony of the games. Although the IOC had scrapped any further international legs of the Olympic torch relay due to problems encountered during the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay, the Executive Board approved an exception for Singapore. The plan however was different from the traditional Olympics; the flame was to visit one city from each continent, where community celebrations would take place. The five cities, dubbed the "celebration cities", selected for the torch relay were Berlin, Germany; Dakar, Senegal; Mexico City,

neg: 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay then run through Switzerland and France. The route was modified only when Luxembourg and Belgium both requested that the torch travel their territories. A longer Greek route was planned, but reduced from an expected down to due to concerns over instability in the country and a lack of security. The torch lighting ceremony took place on 17 July 1948 in Olympia, Greece. As with the 1936 Summer Olympic relay, the torch relay was begun by focusing the sun's rays onto kindling using a parabolic reflector, which then lit the first torch. The kindling was conducted by a Girl Guide leader

neg: LMS Royal Scot Class 6115 Scots Guardsman overhaul; the train in question was West Coast Railways' "The Dalesman" from Chester to Carlisle and return. 46115 took over the train from diesel traction at Hellifield and worked along the Settle and Carlisle in both directions. 2012 saw the London 2012 Olympics take place and for part of the Olympic torch relay it was decided for the York to Thirsk leg of the relay that the torch would travel by steam train. This leg of the relay took place on Wednesday 20 Jun (day 33 of 70). It had been planned that the Olympic torch would be taken by

neg: 2010 Winter Paralympics torch relay and taken on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to Whistler Mountain". In Lytton, celebrations "will take place on 4th street at Fraser", and in Hope, at Memorial Park, on Wallace Street. Finally, in Vancouver, they were organised to take place at Riley Park Community Centre, Spirit Square, the University of British Columbia and Robson Square. The Flame was scheduled to be borne by "approximately 600 torchbearers" including "Canadians from all walks of life" as well as athletes. The first bearer of the torch was single-leg amputee marathon runner Rick Ball, triple world record holder. Other torchbearers: 2010 Winter Paralympics torch

neg: Chris Daly American stop. The torch relay will be the first time in Olympics history that protests will accompany the torch as it passes through a U.S. city. Daly stated, "[T]he magnitude of attention paid to the Olympic Games and the torch relay makes the event the appropriate platform to discuss human rights. If someone can look you in the face and tell you the Olympics are limited to the individual competitions that take place, well, that's a good poker player." Daly also criticized the rare decision to set up designated "free-speech zones" stating, "I don't see why we should break from

neg: 2008 Sichuan earthquake while air defense, police and fire sirens, and the horns of vehicles, vessels and trains sounded. Cars and trucks on Beijing's roads also came to a halt. People spontaneously burst into cheering "Zhongguo jiayou!" (Let's go, China!) and "Sichuan jiayou" (Let's go, Sichuan!) afterwards. The Ningbo Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympic torch relay announced that the relay, scheduled to take place in Ningbo during national morning, would be suspended for the duration of the mourning period. The route of the torch through the country was scaled down, and there was a minute of silence when the next leg started

neg: 2004 Summer Olympics torch relay 2004 Summer Olympics torch relay The 2004 Summer Olympics Torch Relay took the Olympic Flame across every habitable continent, returning to Athens, Greece. Every city which had hosted the Summer Olympics was revisited by the torch, as well as several other cities chosen for their international importance. The main reason why the torch relay went around the world was to highlight the fact that the Olympic Games were started in Greece (in ancient times) and in modern times have been held around the world and then took place in Greece in 2004. The relay was the first time the Olympic

neg: 1952 Winter Olympics torch relay 1952 Winter Olympics torch relay The 1952 Winter Olympics torch relay was the first time that a flame was transported as part of the build-up to the Winter Olympics. While similar to the inaugural Summer Olympics torch relay of 1936 the Olympic Flame did not start in Olympia, instead the relay began in Morgedal, Norway, the birthplace of competitive skiing. Indeed, the Norwegian Olympic Committee were keen to stress that this was not the traditional transfer of the Olympic flame but a separate event that symbolised the use of torches while skiing in the dark. It was not until the

neg: 1940 Summer Olympics torch relay it to be taken by the "Kamikaze", a Mitsubishi Ki-15 plane, across southern Asia. When the flame arrived in Japan it would be carried from Mount Hyūga in Kyushu to Tokyo via the Ise Grand Shrine. A relay from Olympia to Tokyo eventually took place when the city hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics. The Finnish Olympic Committee planned an ambitious relay that would cross Europe. The first part of the route would be very similar to that of 1936 as the torch travelled up to Berlin, the only addition being a detour to Slovakia. From there it would make its

neg: 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay in 1936. The Flame is initiated by using a parabolic mirror that concentrates the sun's rays. However, due to some cloud cover on the day of the ceremony, there was insufficient sunlight to create the required level of heat. A backup, lit on the previous day during rehearsals, was used instead. The remainder of the ceremony could then take place. The relay always begins in Greece and travels from Olympia to Athens and the Panathenaic Stadium. The Hellenic Olympic Committee arranged for the torch to be taken to several Greek islands, a first in the history of Olympic relays. The

neg: 1968 Summer Olympics torch relay length and features a three-dimensional "MEXICO 68" at the top. The torch used as a fuel source a compressed mix of nitrates, sulphur, alkaline metal carbonates, resins and silicones. It burned with a red-yellow flame. Problems with the torch occurred in Barcelona and then again in Medinaceli which saw minor explosions burn some torch-bearers. The cause was investigated and then attributed to "the too-rapid contact of a lighted torch with an unlighted one". Precautions were put in place to prevent further incidents. For the first time runners from different nations took part in the relay. In each previous torch relay

neg: 2009 East Asian Games torch relay 2009 East Asian Games torch relay The 2009 East Asian Games torch relay was the torch relay portion prior to the opening of the East Asian Games. It took place on 29 August 2009 on the 100th day countdown to the games. About 500 local schools held torch relay activities from September 2009 to November 2009 prior to the start of the games in December. The torch pipe was designed by HK designer Kan Tai-keung (靳埭強). The relay held the theme "Light the way to the EAG". The torch is a curvy cylinder with a square top and round bottom.

neg: 1940 Summer Olympics torch relay Asia. A significant portion of the relay would therefore take place across China, an idea not favoured by the Japanese. Another proposal, coming from Germany, was to pioneer the idea of air delivery of the Torch, in the purpose-built Messerschmitt Me 261 "Adolfine" long-range aircraft, which was designed to have a maximum range of some 11,024 km (6,850 mi) unrefueled. Several suggestions were made by the Japanese Olympic Committee about how the flame could be taken from Olympia to Tokyo. One proposal was for the torch to be carried on board a Japanese warship, but a later idea was for

neg: Real Relay several days in advance of the official torch. In place of the Olympic torch, a single baton fitted with a GPS tracking device was passed along the entire route. The route was divided into 672 stages, averaging ten miles per stage, which were posted in batches on the Real Relay website. Each stage featured a start and end point – such as a city, town, or landmark – which related to the Olympic torch relay. The first person to volunteer for the stage secured the right to carry the torch and to designate the exact route between points. Runners were

neg: 2009 East Asian Games torch relay other side of the harbour. It continues to Harbour Road before going to Expo drive and finish at the Golden Bauhinia Square with the last torch bearer. There were a total of 65 torchbearers. The route was divided by 3 sections. 2009 East Asian Games torch relay The 2009 East Asian Games torch relay was the torch relay portion prior to the opening of the East Asian Games. It took place on 29 August 2009 on the 100th day countdown to the games. About 500 local schools held torch relay activities from September 2009 to November 2009 prior to the

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route available at the official website of the torch relay. The relay was suspended from May 19 – May 21 to honor victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route The 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route involved 21 countries where the Olympic torch was carried between its lighting in Greece in March 2008 and the Olympic opening ceremony in China's host city of Beijing in August 2008. The relay took place in four separate legs: in Greece, an international leg, in the Special Administrative Region of China (Hong Kong and Macau), and in mainland China. The

neg: 2018 Asian Games torch relay 2018 Asian Games torch relay The 2018 Asian Games torch relay began on 15 July 2018 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, host of the first Asian Games. The flame will be generated from a parabolic mirror directed straight at the sun. It was organized by Detail Communication Creative Agency who responsible for safekeeping, handling ceremonies and relay for the event itself from India through all the locations in Indonesia. On 18 July 2018, a ceremony took place in Brahma field by the 9th century Hindu temple of Prambanan near Yogyakarta, where the torch's flame from

neg: 2010 Summer Youth Olympics torch relay were the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG), it was significant for the spirit of Olympism to reach out to as many youth as possible across the world. The torch relay was held as "the link that connects the youth of the world to the Olympic movement". While there was active community participation in the torch relay, some were reserved about the event and the games itself. However, there were no major disruptions or protests throughout the torch relay, unlike the earlier Beijing Olympics torch relay. The torch relay was brought to an end on 13 August, when Minister Mentor Lee

neg: 1952 Winter Olympics with Greece first, the rest of the nations proceeding by Norwegian alphabetical order, with the host nation last. The British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand teams all wore black arm bands at the opening ceremonies in memory of their monarch. After the parade of nations the Olympic flame was lit. On 13 February, at the start of the inaugural Winter Olympics torch relay, the torch was lit in the hearth of the Morgedal House, birthplace of skiing pioneer Sondre Norheim. The torch relay lasted two days and took place entirely on skis. At the opening ceremonies the final torch bearer,

neg: Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay was an Olympic-style torch relay to mark the 200th anniversary of the state of Indiana. The relay spanned 3,200 miles over all 92 counties in the state. It started on September 9, 2016 in Corydon, IN, the state’s first capital, and ended October 15, 2016 at the Statehouse Grounds in Indianapolis. The relay path included 17 state parks, 260 cities, 9 rivers and lakes, and 22 college campuses. The torch for the relay has been designed and built by a group of faculty, staff and students at Purdue University. The torch design

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route The 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route involved 21 countries where the Olympic torch was carried between its lighting in Greece in March 2008 and the Olympic opening ceremony in China's host city of Beijing in August 2008. The relay took place in four separate legs: in Greece, an international leg, in the Special Administrative Region of China (Hong Kong and Macau), and in mainland China. The planned route originally included a stop in Taipei between Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong, but there was disagreement in Beijing and Taipei over language used

neg: Majora Carter Broker" and "one of the city's best-known advocates for environmental justice" but reported that some South Bronx activists (who would not go on record) stated that Carter has taken credit for accomplishments when others should share the credit as well as taking credit for uncompleted projects. Other Bronx activists (who did agree to be named) stated that her recognition was well deserved. Carter was a torch-bearer for a portion of the San Francisco leg of the torch relay of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Many portions of the torch relay, including the San Francisco leg, were met with protests concerning the

neg: 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay The 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from 19 May until 27 July, prior to the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The torch bearer selection process was announced on 18 May 2011. As well as touring the United Kingdom the schedule included the three crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and also the Republic of Ireland. The traditional lighting ceremony took place on 10 May at the Temple of Hera, Olympia, home of the Ancient Olympic Games. The torch travelled around Greece, arriving at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens on 17

neg: 1988 Winter Olympics torch relay greatest distance for a torch relay in Olympic history until the 2000 Sydney Games, and a sharp contrast to the 1976 Montreal Games when the relay covered only . Relay sponsor Petro Canada issued entry forms allowing citizens the chance to become one of 6,214 people to carry the torch for . Organizers, who initially expected to receive 250,000 entries, were inundated with over 6.6 million forms and called the response a sign that the Olympics had "fired the imagination of Canada". The relay, called "Share the Flame", also saw the torch travel by boat, snowmobile and dogsled. The relay

neg: Sport in Worthing injured. In 2010 the first Birdman swimming race took place near Worthing Pier, with 2 km and 1 km races. The event takes place before the Worthing Birdman event which moved to the town in 2008. In basketball, the Worthing Thunder won back-to-back titles in the English Basketball League in 2006 and 2007. In 2008 Thunder returned to the British Basketball League, bringing top-flight basketball back to Worthing for the first time since 1999. Worthing's first major kitesurfing event, the Big Air Open Kitesurfing Classic will take place on 14 July 2012 as part of the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

neg: 1952 Winter Olympics torch relay He then passed the flame to the first relay skier. The torch relay then followed the route that Norheim is believed to have taken to Oslo. The final stretch of the relay to Bislett was undertaken by ski champion Lauritz Bergendahl on 15 February. On arrival at the Marathon Gate of the Stadium he passed the torch to the final torch-bearer, Eigil Nansen, grandson of explorer, winter event champion and Nobel Peace Prize-winning diplomat Fridtjof Nansen. Nansen skied with the torch around the snow embankment before walking up to and lighting the "Olympic Altar". 1952 Winter Olympics torch relay The

neg: 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay The 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay was a 65-day run, from December 4, 2001 until February 8, 2002, prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics. The runners carried the Olympic Flame throughout the United States - following its lighting in Olympia, Greece to the opening ceremony of the 2002 games at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 2002 torch relay was also the 50th anniversary of the Winter Olympic torch relay, which was first run during the 1952 Winter Olympics. As with all the Olympic Torch Relays the goal is to share the Olympic

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay entry into Thailand. A coalition of Thai human rights groups announced that it would organise a "small demonstration" during the relay, and several hundred people did indeed take part in protests, facing Beijing supporters. Intended torchbearer Mom Rajawongse Narissara Chakrabongse boycotted the relay, to protest against China's actions in Tibet. In Bangkok, students told the media that the Chinese Embassy provided them with transportation and gave them shirts to wear. Just days before the relay supporters of Falun Gong demonstrated in front of the Chinese embassy in the Malaysian capital. As many as 1,000 personnel from the special police unit

neg: 2010 Central American Games hold eight of the sports which were initially set to take place in Guatemala. The games' events began on 6 April. The Salvadorian delegation topped the medal table, taking its third victory in the competition's history. The games were inaugurated by the President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, who emphasised in his speech that this was the first time the event would take place in the country. The duty of lighting the flame for the games was given to the former boxer Roberto Durán, whose role was preceded by a torch relay by César Barría, Ramiro Mendoza, Davis Peralta and Eileen

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay are with the relay at all times to relight the torch. French judoka and torchbearer David Douillet expressed his annoyance at the Chinese flame attendants who extinguished the torch which he was about to hand over to Teddy Riner: "I understand they're afraid of everything, but this is just annoying. They extinguished the flame despite the fact that there was no risk, and they could see it and they knew it. I don't know why they did it." Chinese officials canceled the torch relay ceremony amidst disruptions, including a Tibetan flag flown from a window in the City Hall by

neg: 2004 Summer Olympics torch relay Greek Leg of the relay, the torch also made a cursory stopover in Albania when the torch was carried through a lake on the Greek-Albanian border. The International Olympic Committee has indicated that, due to the success of the 2004 run, they might sanction a global circumnavigation of the flame before every succeeding Olympics. However, those plans were abandoned in March 2009 due to the protests in the international leg of the torch relay of the 2008 Summer Olympics (with an exception made for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games). The torch relay proved instrumental in the recognition of the importance

neg: 1988 Winter Olympics torch relay Canadian winters. It was modeled after the Calgary Tower, constructed entirely of Canadian materials and designed to be light enough for the relay runners to carry comfortably. The Calgary Tower itself was retrofitted to install a cauldron at its peak and was lit for the duration of the Games, one of several "replica cauldrons" constructed at Olympic venues throughout Calgary and Canmore. 1988 Winter Olympics torch relay The 1988 Olympic torch relay began on November 15, 1987, when the torch was lit at Olympia and Greek runner Stellos Bisbas began what was called "the longest torch run in history". The

neg: 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay then lit and converged to create the cauldron, which was designed by Thomas Heatherwick. 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay The 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from 19 May until 27 July, prior to the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The torch bearer selection process was announced on 18 May 2011. As well as touring the United Kingdom the schedule included the three crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and also the Republic of Ireland. The traditional lighting ceremony took place on 10 May at the Temple of Hera, Olympia, home of the Ancient Olympic Games.

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest The 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest was the special route of the torch relay as part of the 2008 Summer Olympics taking place in China. Torchbearers reached Mt. Everest at 9.20 in the morning (local time) on May 8, in parallel with the Shenzhen route. Another name for the climb is the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay Qomolangma Leg. The route taking the Olympic torch to the summit of the world's tallest peak was a side spur of the main relay, whilst the main relay continued elsewhere in China. It was the

neg: 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay final few hundred yards of the relay down Olympic Way outside of Empire Stadium as the pressure of the crowds on the torch carrier and their escorts reduced the pace to walking speed. Special celebrations were held at each border crossing, and at Pierre de Coubertin's tomb in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was agreed for a secondary Olympic Flame to be lit in Torquay during the games, and a secondary torch relay was conducted to take the flame from Wembley south to the coast to Torquay. The arrangements were the same as from Dover to Wembley but in reverse. 1948 Summer

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay Quinlan, head of the Canberra torch relay committee, said: "We didn't expect this reaction from the Chinese community. It is obviously a well-coordinated plan to take the day by weight of numbers. But we have assurances that it will be done peacefully.". Also, Australia's ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope confirmed that the Chinese embassy was closely involved to ensure that "pro-China demonstrators vastly outnumbered Tibetan activists." Australian freestyle swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe ended the Australian leg of the torch relay April 24, 2008, touching the flame to light a cauldron after a run that was only

neg: 2014 Summer Youth Olympics to 4500m and a temperature range of -15˚C to 45˚C. Following Olympic tradition the torch lighting ceremony was held on 30 April 2014 in Athens, Greece at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games were held. Four young athletes from Greece and China competed in a mini-relay. The torch relay was divided into two parts. The first part was a digital relay where people who downloaded an app were able to participate in the relay through an interactive option called "Give Me Fire." When using this feature users were able to pass the Youth Olympic flame to their friends

neg: 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay students. 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay The 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay was the transferral of the Olympic Flame to Sydney, Australia that built up to the 2000 Summer Olympics. The torch travelled to various island nations as part of a tour of Oceania before beginning an extensive journey around Australia. For the first time the Flame was taken underwater, with a special flare-like torch taken on a dive down to the Great Barrier Reef. At the opening ceremony the cauldron was lit by Aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman. A History of the Olympic Torch Relay has been written by Janet

neg: 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay The 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay was the transferral of the Olympic Flame to Sydney, Australia that built up to the 2000 Summer Olympics. The torch travelled to various island nations as part of a tour of Oceania before beginning an extensive journey around Australia. For the first time the Flame was taken underwater, with a special flare-like torch taken on a dive down to the Great Barrier Reef. At the opening ceremony the cauldron was lit by Aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman. A History of the Olympic Torch Relay has been written by Janet Cahill

neg: National Sports Festival of Japan the Olympic flame, was first introduced at the 5th tournament in 1950, and the torch relay at the 12th tournament in 1957. From the 3rd tournament in 1948 a relay event had been held, though this was to carry the tournament's official flag, though this only remained until the 27th tournament in 1972. Afterwards, only the torch relay took place. Points are awarded depending on the outcome of each individual event, with the sum of these points being the method of competing for the Emperor's and Empresses Cups. 10 points are given for participation in each game in the tournament

neg: 2010 Winter Paralympics torch relay taken to BC Place Stadium for the Games' opening ceremony. The Organising Committee stated that "[t]his relay is distinct from typical relays as it will happen in and around the Celebration Communities". A celebration ceremony will be organised at each stop of the relay, involving the community. In Ottawa, the celebration was a Lighting Ceremony, during which "the local First Nations communities of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg" would light the Flame. The Torch would then travel to Parliament Hill. At the end of the day, it was to be extinguished, to be relit on March 4

neg: Olympic flame the United States and Ireland, respectively). The London 2012 torch travelled 8,000 miles across the UK. The Rio 2016 torch travelled 12,000 miles across Brazil. There have been protests against Olympic torch relays since the they were first introduced. In 1936, there were minor protests against the torch relay to Nazi Germany in Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, which were suppressed by the local security forces. In the 1956 Melbourne Games in Australia, local veterinary student Barry Larkin protested against the relay when he tricked onlookers by carrying a fake flame, consisting of a pair of underpants set on fire in a

neg: 1968 Summer Olympics torch relay distance of 13,620 km including the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. While the relay was largely successful it was marred by problems when exchanging the flame from one torch to another. Runners in Barcelona and Medinaceli were burned by small explosions as a lit torch came into contact with an unlit one. American sculptor James Metcalf, an expatriate, won the commission to forge the torch for the Games. There were two torch designs used throughout the relay: Type A and Type B. The Type B torch was designed to follow the theme of the logo. It is grooved along its

neg: 1988 Winter Olympics torch relay 1988 Winter Olympics torch relay The 1988 Olympic torch relay began on November 15, 1987, when the torch was lit at Olympia and Greek runner Stellos Bisbas began what was called "the longest torch run in history". The flame arrived in St. John's, Newfoundland on the Atlantic Ocean two days later and over 88 days, traveled west across Canada. It passed through most major cities, north to the Arctic Ocean at Inuvik, Northwest Territories, then west to the Pacific Ocean at Victoria, British Columbia before returning east to Alberta, and finally Calgary. The torch covered a distance of , the

neg: Pan American Games temples, first in the Cerro de la Estrella and later in the Pyramid of the Sun at the Teotihuacan Pyramids. The only exception was for the São Paulo games in 1963, when the torch was lit in Brasília by the indigenous Guaraní people. An Aztec then lights the torch of the first relay bearer, thus initiating the Pan American Games torch relay that will carry the flame to the host city's main stadium, where it plays an important role in the opening ceremony. Since 2011, the flame is required to be held during the games in the stadium which will

neg: Sport in Mexico Aztec people. in ancient temples, first in the Cerro de la Estrella and later in the Pyramid of the Sun at the Teotihuacan Pyramids. The only exception was for the São Paulo games in 1963, when the torch was lit in Brasília by the indigenous Guaraní people. An Aztec then lights the torch of the first relay bearer, thus initiating the Pan American Games torch relay that will carry the flame to the host city's main stadium, where it plays an important role in the opening ceremony. Charrería is the national sport of Mexico, it dates back to the 16th

neg: 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony The entrance of the torch on the stadium was surrounded by the "Le Roi Lear Fanfarre", by Claude Debussy; and the cauldron was lighted by the final part of "Pirogov Suite", an epic suite by Dmitri Shostakovich. Both songs were adapted by John Psathas. The Opening Ceremony culminated in the end of the torch relay, a tradition begun when Berlin hosted the games in 1936. Before the torch came into the stadium, a three rings arose from the center of the stadium that simulated a globe. This segment preceding the torch's arrival honored the first global torch relay that was

neg: Colonialism and the Olympic Games opening ceremonies in Beijing. Although the torch was heavily guarded by local police and Chinese security agents wearing blue track suits, protesters attempting to stop the relay or take the torch were a significant problem along the route. Disruption of the torch relay and foreign condemnation of China resulted in a backlash of nationalism and anti-foreigner sentiment in China. French goods and businesses were threatened with a reprisals for the assault on torch-bearers through Paris, France. French retailer Carrefour was boycotted, and there were flag burning protests outside some stores. Foreign media, particularly CNN, was severely criticised for its reporting

neg: 2010 Summer Youth Olympics torch relay going through Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, Pasir Ris and Tampines, ending the day with the torch crossing Bedok Reservoir on dragonboat to reach Temasek Polytechnic. The youngest torchbearer, Nurhidayah Rahmat, ran in the morning of the day. In the morning, Low Wei Jie, 12, followed the relay in the morning showers for more than 2 hours, catching the attention of relay official and the media. His efforts and enthusiasm did not go unappreciated, as relay officials gave him a slot on the last day of the relay. The fourth day of the relay covered the north-western part of Singapore, visiting Bukit

neg: 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from April 27, 1996, until July 19, 1996, prior to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The route covered across the United States and included a trek on the Pony Express, a ride on the Union Pacific Railroad, and a torch was taken into space for the first time. The relay involved over 12,000 torchbearers, including Muhammad Ali, who was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron. The torch was designed by Malcolm Grear and featured 22 aluminum "reeds" intended to represent the number of times that the

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay torch returned to China for the first time since April. The torch arrived in Sanya, Hainan on May 4 with celebrations attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials and Chinese big names like Jackie Chan. The entire relay through Mainland China was largely a success with many people welcoming the arrival of the torch along the way. Some notable incidents are: The coverage of the events by the media came under scrutiny during the relay. Chinese media coverage of the torch relay has been distinct in a number of ways from coverage elsewhere. Western reporters in Beijing have described Chinese

neg: 1968 Summer Olympics torch relay 1968 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1968 Summer Olympics torch relay took part as part of the build-up to the 1968 Summer Olympics hosted in Mexico City, Mexico. The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, and retraced the steps of Christopher Columbus, founder of the New World. This theme celebrated the link between Latin-American and Mediterranean civilisations. At the end of the relay the Olympic cauldron was for the first time lit by a female athlete. Mexican hurdler Enriqueta Basilio was chosen to complete the final leg of the 2,500 km running relay. The torch had covered a total

neg: 2018 Asian Games torch relay India were fused together with an Indonesian natural eternal flame taken from Mrapen, Central Java. Subsequently, a concert was performed marking the start of torch relay throughout the country. The relay finished on 15 August in Jakarta. In 17 August during the independence day of Indonesia the flame was stored in the National Monument, before being carried into the opening ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 18 August. 2018 Asian Games torch relay The 2018 Asian Games torch relay began on 15 July 2018 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, host of the first Asian

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay based in India, has stated that it did not support the disruption of the Olympic torch relay. The noted Indian social activist and a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Kiran Bedi refused to participate saying "she doesn’t want to run in the event as ‘caged woman’." On April 15, Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan pulled out of the Olympic torch relay, citing “very strong personal reasons”. On April 16, a protest was organised in Delhi "against Chinese repression in Tibet", and was broken up by the police. Thai authorities threatened to arrest foreign protesters and ban them from future

neg: 2018 Asian Games On 18 July 2018, a ceremony took place in Brahma field by the 9th century Hindu temple of Prambanan near Yogyakarta, where the torch's flame from India were fused together with an Indonesian natural eternal flame taken from Mrapen, Central Java. Subsequently, the Torch Relay Concert were performed marking the start of torch relay throughout the country. The relay travelled through 54 cities in 18 provinces in Indonesia, including host cities. The relay covered a total distance of . The relay finished on 17 August, the 73rd anniversary of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in the National Monument, Jakarta before

neg: 2018 Winter Olympics torch relay 2018 Winter Olympics torch relay The 2018 Winter Olympics torch relay was ran from October 24, 2017 until February 9, 2018, in advance of the 2018 Winter Olympics. After being lit in Olympia, Greece, the torch traveled to Athens on 31 October. The torch began its Korean journey on 1 November, visiting all Regions of Korea. The Korean leg began in Incheon: the torch travelled across the country for 101 days. 7,500 relay runners participated in the torch relay over a distance of 2,018 km. The torchbearers each carried the flame for 200 metres. The relay ended in Pyeongchang's Olympic

neg: 2018 Winter Olympics torch relay Stadium, the main venue of the 2018 Olympics. The final torch was lit by figure skater Yuna Kim. 2018 Winter Olympics torch relay The 2018 Winter Olympics torch relay was ran from October 24, 2017 until February 9, 2018, in advance of the 2018 Winter Olympics. After being lit in Olympia, Greece, the torch traveled to Athens on 31 October. The torch began its Korean journey on 1 November, visiting all Regions of Korea. The Korean leg began in Incheon: the torch travelled across the country for 101 days. 7,500 relay runners participated in the torch relay over a distance

neg: Justin Hines on March 12, the inspirational 10-day journey of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay is officially underway with the first group of Paralympic Torchbearers – one from each province and territory – gathering in the nation’s capital to create stories that will inspire the nation. More than 600 torchbearers will proudly carry the flame as the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada and the Province of BC, visits 11 communities over the next 10 days, culminating in the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron at BC Place in downtown Vancouver

neg: 2010 Winter Olympics torch relay 22 October 2009 the Olympic Torch was lit during a ceremony held at the Ancient Olympia in Greece. Actress Maria Nafpliotou played the role of the High Priestess and ignited the flame using a parabolic mirror and the sun's ray. The first torch was carried by Olympic skier Vassilis Dimitriadis. Kept under close secrecy, the final Olympic Torchbearer turned out to be not one, but five final torchbearers. Rick Hansen brought it into BC Place Stadium, in turn lighting Catriona Le May Doan's torch, who lit Steve Nash's torch, and the flame continued to Nancy Greene and Wayne Gretzky. Three

neg: 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay Abraham. It was also suspended over water as it was transported by the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge over the River Tees. The end of the relay took place in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. The torch arrived aboard a speedboat piloted by David Beckham, via the Limehouse Cut. Steve Redgrave received the flame from young footballer Jade Bailey, the torchbearer on the boat, and carried it into the Olympic Stadium. Then Redgrave handed the torch to the seven young athletes, each one nominated by an athlete. The athletes then each applied their torch to one of the 204 petals, which

neg: 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay towards the northern end of the stadium. The identity of the final torchbearer had been kept secret and was only revealed when Muhammad Ali appeared at the top of the ramp. Ali, who had won gold at the 1960 Games in Rome and later developed Parkinson's disease, lit a mechanical torch which then travelled along a wire, lighting the cauldron at the top of a tower. His appearance has been referred to as being one of the most inspiring, poignant, and emotional moments in Olympic history. 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from

neg: 2011 Pan American Games torch relay 2011 Pan American Games torch relay The 2011 Pan American Games torch relay was a 50-day torch run, from August 26–October 14, 2011, held prior to the 2011 Pan American Games. Plans for the relay were originally announced July 6, 2011 by the Guadalajara Organizing Committee for the 2011 Pan American and Parapan American Games (COPAG). The relay brought the torch from Mexico City to the Estadio Omnilife for the Opening Ceremony. The flame arrived just in time for the opening ceremony. The relay took the torch through all 32 Mexican states on a 50-day route starting on August 26,

neg: 2015 Pan American Games torch relay and then headed to Thunder Bay, before visiting all other communities on the route. The relay also visited five National Historic Sites of Canada, six Canadian Forces bases and one provincial park. There were 180 celebrations across the torch relay route. All cities in the Province of Ontario, unless otherwise noted in italics. 2015 Pan American Games torch relay The 2015 Pan American Games torch relay was a 41-day torch run, occurring from May 30 to July 10, 2015, being held prior to the start of the Games. The relay brought the torch from Mexico to the Pan American Ceremonies

neg: Concerns and controversies at the 2008 Summer Olympics ancient Olympia stadium and interrupted the speech of Liu Qi, head of the Beijing Games committee. One protestor tried to snatch the microphone as another unrolled a black flag showing the Olympic rings as handcuffs. Nearly 50 Tibetan exiles in India began a global torch relay 25 March 2008 with a symbolic "Olympic" flame that ended in Tibet on 8 August 2008, the day of the Summer Games' opening ceremonies in Beijing. Although the torch was heavily guarded by local police and Chinese security agents wearing blue track suits, protesters attempting to stop the relay or take the torch were

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay played against the landscape of a lovely city." International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the San Francisco relay had "fortunately" avoided much of the disruptions that marred the legs in London and Paris, but "was, however, not the joyous party that we had wished it to be." The day was marked by several pro-Tibet protests, which included a giant banner reading "Free Tibet", and an alternative "human rights torch" that was lit by protesters and paraded along the route the flame was to take. Most of these protests were peaceful in nature, and the torch was not impeded. Chinese

neg: 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay October 1 (day 3) October 2 (day 4) October 3 (day 5) October 4 (day 6) Gay activist Pavel Lebedev (not to be confused with a Russian retired figure skater Pavel Lebedev) was arrested at the relay in Voronezh for unveiling a rainbow flag. When interviewed he said "hosting the games here contradicts the basic principles of the Olympics, which is to cultivate tolerance". 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay The 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay was run from October 7, 2013, 123 days prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, until February 7, 2014, the day of the opening ceremony

neg: 1984 Summer Olympics torch relay Thorpe, and Gina Hemphill, granddaughter of Jesse Owens, being given the honor of becoming the first torchbearers. The relay featured 3,636 torchbearers and spanned a distance of around , at the time the longest distance of any Olympic relay. Rafer Johnson, an Olympic decathlon gold medalist, was the final torchbearer. 1984 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1984 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from May 8 until July 28, prior to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The route covered around across the United States and involved over 3,600 torchbearers. Rafer Johnson lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

neg: 1984 Summer Olympics torch relay the torch relay, threatened to stop the event from happening. Several months of negotiations finally finished in an agreement just days before the planned kindling ceremony. On May 7, 1984, the lighting ceremony took place but, contrary to tradition, was closed to the public. The LAOOC originally hoped that the relay would visit all 50 states and capitals as well as Washington D.C. They realized that this would require a 24-hour-per-day operation and had to reduce the scope of their plans to include just 33 states: The relay officially began on May 8 with Bill Thorpe, Jr., grandson of Jim

neg: 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games of Sports and Recreation, David Bernier, head of Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, Felipe Pérez, president of the organizing Committee and José Guillermo Rodríguez, mayor of Mayagüez. The flame arrived in Puerto Rico and the torch relay went across all 78 municipalities for 22 days and ended its route on 18 July when the games were inaugurated and the fire was placed at the Central American and Caribbean Games cauldron. The governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, received the torch at Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla. The first runner in the relay was Puerto Rican golfer Miguel Suárez. The relay began

neg: 2015 Parapan American Games torch relay torchbearers were selected by a random selection, while the others were selected by torch relay communities and games partners. The torch was carried by 250 torchbearers. All cities are in the Province of Ontario. 2015 Parapan American Games torch relay The 2015 Parapan American Games torch relay was a 5-day torch relay, from August 3 to 7, 2015, being held prior to the start of the Games. Two torches were lit, one in the west at Niagara Falls and one in the east at Ottawa. Covering over , the two torches made their way towards and reunited in Toronto. An

neg: 2008 Summer Paralympics torch relay flame. 2008 Summer Paralympics torch relay The torch relay for the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games was held between August 28 and September 6 in eleven cities, and also included the tomb of Yellow Emperor. In 2007, the BOCOG announced the torch relay route, composed of three parts: In June 2008, the Beijing Games' Organizing Committee announced that the planned four international torch relay cities and four national cities for the Paralympic Games had been cancelled. The Committee stated that the relay was being cancelled to enable the Chinese government to "focus on the rescue and relief work" following the Sichuan

neg: 2008 Summer Paralympics torch relay 2008 Summer Paralympics torch relay The torch relay for the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games was held between August 28 and September 6 in eleven cities, and also included the tomb of Yellow Emperor. In 2007, the BOCOG announced the torch relay route, composed of three parts: In June 2008, the Beijing Games' Organizing Committee announced that the planned four international torch relay cities and four national cities for the Paralympic Games had been cancelled. The Committee stated that the relay was being cancelled to enable the Chinese government to "focus on the rescue and relief work" following the Sichuan earthquake.

neg: Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is inspired by the flag of Indiana and contains two circles of stars. The larger circle is around the burner and similar to that in the flag contains 13 stars for Thirteen colonies. The smaller circle with 5 stars around the handle is for states that joined by 1812 before Indiana became the 19th state in 1816. Over 2,000 torchbearers were selected to represent their counties in the torch relay. Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay was an Olympic-style torch relay to mark the 200th anniversary of the state of Indiana. The relay spanned 3,200 miles over all

neg: 2011 Pan American Games torch relay 2011, at the pyramids of Teotihuacan outside Mexico City. The Pan American flame was lit in the Pyramid of the Sun, the spot selected by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The relay was organized by the Mexican Olympic Committee and was sponsored by Grupo Omnilife, a nutrition company. The first torch was carried by Pan American Games gold medalist Paola Longoria. The relay began with a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the 2011 Monterrey casino attack. About 3,500 runners carried the torch on the 15,000-kilometer route. The torch arrived in Puerto Vallarta on October 9,

neg: 1976 Summer Olympics torch relay 1976 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1976 Summer Olympics torch relay celebrated the first time that a Canadian city had hosted the Games. Convention states that the flame should be lit at Olympia in Greece and then transported to Athens, making its way onwards to the host city. On this occasion a signal was sent via satellite to transmit the flame to Ottawa where it would then make its way to the 1976 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Montreal and a second ceremony in Kingston, Ontario. The torch was primarily made of aluminium and weighed 836 grams. It was fuelled

neg: 2015 Pan American Games torch relay by torch relay communities and games partners. The torch took a 41-day journey after being lit in May 2015 at the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico. The torch was brought through a total of 130 communities, mostly in Ontario (with five outside the province, Richmond, Winnipeg, Calgary, Halifax and Montreal). The torch was carried by about 3,000 torchbearers and travel approximately . The relay began on May 30, 2015 in Toronto and finished on July 10, the date of the opening ceremony. The detailed torch relay route and celebration sites were announced on February 24, 2015. The torch arrived in Toronto

neg: 1968 Winter Olympics The route of the torch relay at first led over Mount Olympus to Athens. From there, the torch was flown by an Air France Boeing 707 to the Paris-Orly airport. There the torch was received by Jean Vuarnet, the 1960 Downhill Olympic gold medalist, on 19 December, who handed it on to the first torchbearer Alain Mimoun, the 1956 Marathon Olympic gold medalist. The torch relay in France went over a distance of 7,222 kilometers through 41 districts and 170 towns to the Isère district. All in all 5,000 torchbearers, who transported the torch on foot, by bike, by boat,

neg: Lorraine Newman episode aired on 16 July. One of Newman's first key tasks as temporary executive producer was to oversee production of a special episode featuring a live segment in which the character of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) carries the Olympic Torch as an official torch bearer in the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay. Carl Doran, creative head of the BBC’s Torch coverage, revealed the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and "EastEnders" production team had worked for two years to organise this. The episode was part of the official torch relay, meaning the torch made a special

neg: Marietta Chrousala fifteenth place. She had already been working voluntarily since 2002 for the 2004 Summer Olympics, while she was chosen after winning her title as one of the celebrities to take part in the Olympic Flame torch relay which finished in Greece. In 2005, she was the co-host of the TV game show "Poly tin Kyriaki" for its first season on Mega Channel with Grigoris Arnaoutoglou. She left Mega Channel for Alter Channel to make her own show. Since 2006 to 2009, she was the main host of the morning gossip show "I Ellada Pezei". The show directed by Nikos Chatziaggelis.

neg: 1976 Summer Olympics torch relay a variety of unusual transportation methods. The torches were carried to the city on horseback, bicycle, and canoes as well as the more traditional running relay. 1976 Summer Olympics torch relay The 1976 Summer Olympics torch relay celebrated the first time that a Canadian city had hosted the Games. Convention states that the flame should be lit at Olympia in Greece and then transported to Athens, making its way onwards to the host city. On this occasion a signal was sent via satellite to transmit the flame to Ottawa where it would then make its way to the 1976 Summer

neg: UAAP Season 74 2011 at the Marikina Sports Park. The highlights of the opening ceremony were the presentation of the UAAP board of directors, parade of athletes, torch relay, cauldron lighting and free concert. It also featured a group of Ateneo graduates singing the UAAP theme song. The Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion and Spongecola's Yael Yuzon provided entertainment during the ceremonies. The torch relay took place prior to the start of the events in the Marikina Sports Park. The relay started from the De La Salle University campus in Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila and passed thru the campuses of the other seven member

neg: 2010 Asian Games torch relay 2010 Asian Games torch relay The 2010 Asian Games torch relay was held from October 12, 2010 through 21 cities in Guangdong province and 2 cities of Guangdong province before the opening ceremony on November 12, 2010. Prior to the relay, a lighting ceremony was held back on October 9, 2010. Some 2,068 torchbearers are expected to carry the torch with one of the relay was held in indoor arena. The relay in Harbin was held in the main venue of the 1996 Asian Winter Games, the Harbin Ice Hockey Rink, while the relay on October 22, 2010 was affected

neg: 2011 Pan American Games relay was sponsored by local nutrition company Grupo Omnilife. The torch design depicted agave leaves protecting the Pan American flame. It was designed by Vatti, the same company that designed the torch for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The torch relay was organized by the Mexican Olympic Committee. The opening ceremony of the games took place on October 14, 2011, at 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC, October 15) at Omnilife Stadium. The opening ceremony was produced by Five Currents, who also produced the 2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. All 41 members of PASO competed at the Games. The Netherlands Antilles Olympic

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest should stand for human freedoms and dignity, to bolster its territorial claim over Tibet." 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest The 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest was the special route of the torch relay as part of the 2008 Summer Olympics taking place in China. Torchbearers reached Mt. Everest at 9.20 in the morning (local time) on May 8, in parallel with the Shenzhen route. Another name for the climb is the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay Qomolangma Leg. The route taking the Olympic torch to the summit of the world's tallest peak was a side spur of

neg: Anti-Western sentiment in China the relay was cut short and the torch transported by bus after protestors disrupted the procession. Protests also took place in Athens, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Canberra, Nagano, and Seoul. In response, Chinese government officials condemned the protests and overseas Chinese organised 'pro-China' counter-demonstrations at torch processions, joined by counter-protests in many Chinese cities. Despite the protests being aimed at specific issues raised through western media, Chinese media sources, such as CCTV, referred to the protestors as being 'anti-China'. In one instance, Chinese state-run news source "China Daily" reported that "[a]ll the recent protests against the 2008 Olympic torch relay

neg: 2008 Summer Paralympics torch relay The torch relay was held exclusively within China. Despite the officially stated reason for the cancellation, "The Guardian" attributed it to China's wish to avoid "a repeat of the protests" which had occurred in a number of cities around the world during the Olympics torch relay. Similarly, "The Times" wrote: "China has cancelled the international leg of the Paralympic torch relay, which was due to pass through London, in an apparent attempt to avoid similar protests to those that dogged the Olympic torch’s global tour." Reuters reported simply: "China, whose Beijing Olympic torch relay was dogged by protest overseas, on

neg: 1952 Winter Olympics torch relay pioneer in competitive skiing. The location was chosen to celebrate the birthplace of skiing and the origins of such sporting events. In 1868 Norheim had skied from Morgedal to Oslo to compete in a skiing competition that was being hosted in the city. It would be fitting for a person of high regard to start the relay. Olav Bjaaland, the grandfather of the man who proposed the relay, was a member of the 1911 South Pole expedition. He was given the honour of kindling the fire, and did so by lighting a pine torch in the hearth of Norheim's home.

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay small number of 'Tibet independence' secessionists and a handful of so-called human rights-minded NGO activists" intent on "disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games". However, the Chinese media published articles about crowds supporting the torch relay. Xinhua and CCTV quoted relay spectators who condemned the protests, to a greater extent than most Western media, but did not quote any alternate viewpoints, providing no coverage of support for the protests by some ordinary citizens in Western countries. It quoted athletes who expressed pride at taking part in the relays, to a greater extent than Western media, but not those who, like

neg: 2004 Summer Olympics torch relay flame had travelled to Africa, India and South America. The flame was transported from country to country aboard a specially-equipped Boeing 747 leased from Atlanta Icelandic (Registration TF-ARO) called "Zeus". On board the flame was carried and burned continuously in specially modified miners lamps. March 25: March 26: March 27: March 28: March 29: March 30: March 31: The International Leg of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay officially began on June 4, 2004, when the flame touched down in Sydney, Australia, host city of the 2000 Summer Olympics. The International Leg of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay officially concluded on

neg: 2015 Pan American Games torch relay 2015 Pan American Games torch relay The 2015 Pan American Games torch relay was a 41-day torch run, occurring from May 30 to July 10, 2015, being held prior to the start of the Games. The relay brought the torch from Mexico to the Pan American Ceremonies Venue for the opening ceremony. An application period for Canadians to carry the torch opened in October 2014 and continued till December. Anyone aged 13 or older as of May 30, 2015 was eligible to become a torchbearer. Most of the torchbearers were selected by a random selection, while the others were selected

neg: 2015 Southeast Asian Games concerns the cost would exceed budget, as had happened when Singapore hosted the Youth Olympics in 2010. In contrast, the cost of organizing the 2013 games, which was hosted by Myanmar, was estimated to be SGD400 million. The torch relay took place on 4 June 2015, the eve of the games' opening ceremony began with the torch lit at the Marina Bay Promontory, and went past Clifford Square, Merlion Park, Esplanade Plaza, the Art Science Museum and end at Marina Bay Sands, where the flame handover ceremony to the Games officials took place. The motto of the 2015 Southeast Asian

neg: 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay quarter of the relay runners. They gave nomination forms away as part of a promotional deal with 12-packs of their cans with the entries largely being selected at random. The end of the relay took place on July 19, 1996, at the opening ceremony in Atlanta. Four-time gold medal-winning discus thrower Al Oerter carried the torch to the stadium, passing it to Evander Holyfield. Holyfield was then joined by Voula Patoulidou and the pair passed the flame to American swimmer Janet Evans, the penultimate torchbearer, who carried it around a lap of the track and up a long ramp leading

neg: 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay people, including public employees and volunteers. Overall, the protests were peaceful in nature, although there were a few incidents such as the throwing of several water balloons in an attempt to extinguish the Olympic flame, and minor scuffles between Olympic protesters and supporters from Chinese immigrant communities. In fear of violent protests and bomb attacks, the torch relay in Pakistan took place in a stadium behind closed doors. Although the relay was behind closed doors, thousands of policemen and soldiers guarded the flame. As a consequence, no incidents arose. Wary of protests, the Indian authorities have decided to shorten the

neg: 2010 Winter Olympics torch relay 2010 Winter Olympics torch relay The 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Relay was a 106-day run, from October 30, 2009 until February 12, 2010, prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Plans for the relay were originally announced November 21, 2008 by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Communities were initially informed in June 2008, but the locations were not announced for "security reasons". Exact routes were later announced several weeks before the start of the torch relay. The torches used in the Olympic relay were designed by Leo Obstbaum (1969–2009), the late director of

neg: 2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay 2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay The 2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay ran from 22 to 29 August 2012, prior to the 2012 Summer Paralympics. The relay began with four flames kindled on the highest peaks of the four nations of the United Kingdom, which were then brought to their respective capital cities for special events honouring the upcoming Games. For the relay proper, the four national flames were united at a ceremony in Stoke Mandeville in preparation for a final journey to London. The Paralympic torch relay began on 22 August. In a ceremony representing human endeavour, groups of disabled