Summer Olympics, London 2012

[Natalka]

OLYMPIA, GREECE - The Olympic flame for the 2012 London Games was lit Thursday in Greece and will soon begin a journey that will culminate July 27 with the opening ceremony in the British capital.

According to tradition, the flame was lit by a high priestess -- actress Ino Menegaki -- using the sun's rays and a mirror at the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia. (the wind blew it out once...)

The flame then ignited a torch, which will make its way through Greece and eventually to London for the start of the Games.





Greek swimmer Spyros Gianniotis, a three-time Olympian whose mother is British, was the first of torchbearers and he handed it to Alex Loukos, a British resident with Greek heritage, who was a member of London's 2012 young ambassadors that helped with the bid process in Singapore seven years ago.

After an eight-day journey across Greece, the torch will be flown to Great Britain on May 18 for the London relay. It will visit more than 1,000 villages, towns and cities during its trek, which will cover about 8,000 miles over 70 days, ending with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron on July 27.

[Natalka]

The torch



At 800mm high and weighing just 800g, the Torch is one of the most lightweight in the history of the Olympic Movement. Its gold-coloured form is perforated by 8,000 small cut-out circles, representing the 8,000 Torchbearers and their stories of personal achievement. The circles, which run the length of the Torch, will also offer a unique level of transparency – allowing people to see right into its heart – and help keep the Torch cool.


The triangular design has been inspired by the multiples of three identified across the vision and delivery of the Olympic Games. These include the three Olympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship; the fact the UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times; and the vision for the London 2012 Olympic Games to combine three strands of work – sport, education and culture.

more info
http://www.london2012.com/news/artic...ch-design.html

[VeeVee]

That's a pretty torch!
I love the summer Olympics..can't wait! BF and I have taken the second wee off for vacation so we can watch lots lol

[lecale]

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[Shwa Girl]

Thanks for the thread Natalka. Love the Olympics. Can't wait to watch.

[lecale]

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[xox2010]

Huh, not sure how I feel about the jean jacket, lol. Can't wait for the Olympics to start I'm going to London in June, so hopefully I will have a chance to see some of what will happen there in July.

[lecale]

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[lecale]

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[lecale]

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[DaveP]

From looking at the photos above, Canada is kicking Germany, Italy and Australia`s a** fashion-wise.

[lecale]

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[Natalka]

Some of Britain's Olympic torchbearers have been making the most of their country's special moment -- by selling their torches on eBay, attracting bids of over £150,000 ($237,000, 186,000 euros).

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/olympic-tor...2975--oly.html

Each of the 8,000 runners -- chosen for their "inspirational" personal achievements or contribution to local communities -- can buy their torch for £215, discounted from the £495 cost price, a London 2012 spokeswoman told AFP.

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I can understand the temptation, because it's SO much money.... but it would be something special to pass down in the family....

[DaveP]

Some of Britain's Olympic torchbearers have been making the most of their country's special moment -- by selling their torches on eBay, attracting bids of over £150,000 ($237,000, 186,000 euros).

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/olympic-tor...2975--oly.html

Each of the 8,000 runners -- chosen for their "inspirational" personal achievements or contribution to local communities -- can buy their torch for £215, discounted from the £495 cost price, a London 2012 spokeswoman told AFP.

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I can understand the temptation, because it's SO much money.... but it would be something special to pass down in the family....

Hmm. I'd feel bad about it, but I might do that too, in their place. That's a lot of money and would pay for the kids education after high school.

[kparker1786]

I'm excited for the Olympics too! I love it! And I find the Fashion interesting, can't wait to see what other photos will be posted