Facts at a Glance
The 2004 Olympic Torch Relay began on 25-March after the Olympic flame was lit by the rays of the sun in a traditional ceremony held ancient Olympia, Greece, site of the first Olympic Games in 776 BC.
After departing ancient Olympia, it traveled for 7 days through the Peloponnese, the islands of the Saronic Gulf, and finally to the Panathinaiko stadium in Athens, the stadium which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. There the flame will remain lit in a cauldron until the international portion of its journey begins on 3-July.
When the international portion is complete, on 9-July, the flame will return again to Greece and travel throughout the country before igniting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games.
International Relay
· The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay will travel throughout Greece and around world. The international portion of the relay will span 35 days visiting 34 cities (including ancient Olympia) in 27 countries (including Greece).
· The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay has several "firsts" including:
· The first truly global Olympic Torch Relay
· The first time the Olympic flame will visit all host cities of the Olympic Summer Games (including Beijing 2008)
· The first time the Olympic flame will visit Africa (Cairo, Egypt and Cape Town, South Africa)
· The first time the Olympic flame will visit South America (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
· The first time the Olympic flame will visit all five land masses represented by the Olympic rings
· The Olympic flame is ignited by the sun’s rays in a traditional ceremony in Olympia, Greece, and is kept in a lantern that travels with the relay. A torch is lit from the flame every morning to start that day’s relay. The Olympic flame is passed from torch to torch. The lantern is closely guarded to ensure that the flame is never extinguished.
· More than 3,600 torchbearers will pass the Olympic flame during the international route for the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.
· The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay will travel more than 1,500 kilometers by torchbearer.
· The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay will travel more than 78,000 kilometers by air.
· Each torchbearer will carry the flame approximately 400 meters or approximately one lap around a track.
· The Olympic flame will travel an average of 48 kilometers per day.
· The Olympic flame will travel via torchbearers, automobile, airplane, boat, bicycle, wheelchair and motorcycle.
· The Olympic flame will stop at the end of each day for a city celebration. Details of this celebration will be announced by local cities soon.
· The International ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay will:
· Change time zones 37 times
· Use 20 local currencies
· Utilize 19 languages
· More than 264 million people reside in the 34 cities and surrounding areas where the Olympic flame will pass.
· More than 3.8 billion people reside in the 27 countries on the Relay.
· The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsors, The Coca-Cola Company and Samsung.
While in Greece:
· The torch was lit March 25, 2004 (the date that corresponds to the opening ceremony of Athens Olympic Games in 1896 and Greek independence day) and journeyed in Greece for 7 days; it returns to Greece after the international portion of the relay to resume its journey Greece in early July.
o 43 days of operations in Greek territory; 54 prefectures of Greece
o 174 Destinations - 24 Historic Sites - and 32 Islands
o About 7,700 torchbearers and 1,540 escort runners
o The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games will take place from 13-29 August, 2004.
Internal Torchbearer Questions & Answers
How many torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame in each city?
Overall, approximately 3,600 torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame along the international route, about 100-120 torchbearers per city. Each city has an ample opportunity for its citizens and fellow countrymen to serve as torchbearers and escort runners. Each region will announce its final number of torchbearers in May 2004.
How were torchbearers selected?
ATHENS 2004 established criteria that all torchbearers "represent the best of humanity" and that selection programs include some form of public participation. Local selection programs based on this criteria were created by 1) ATHENS 2004, working closely with each city and respective National Olympic Committee; 2) Presenting Sponsor Coca-Cola; and 3) Presenting Sponsor Samsung. Each program allowed for public and/or private selection, as long as all people who were selected as torchbearers meet the general criteria and adhere to the rules. Contact National Olympic Committees, Coca-Cola, Samsung or ATHENS 2004 for additional information.
What are the "best in humanity" criteria used to select torchbearers?
People who unite their communities through sport, education or culture. People who inspire others through: Participation, Celebration, Human scale and Heritage.
Can torchbearers be selected to carry the Olympic flame more than once?
No. Torchbearers have only one opportunity during the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay to carry the Olympic flame.
How much does it cost to be a torchbearer?
There is no fee or charge to be a torchbearer. However, torchbearers and escort runners are responsible for personal costs incurred for travel to the location where they are designated to carry the Olympic flame. Torchbearers also have the opportunity to purchase the Olympic torch they carry.
How much does the torch cost?
Each torch will be available for sale to the torchbearer for its approximate production cost. The price of the torch is about 305 Euros (plus VAT). This price is commensurate with the cost of torches used in recent relays.
What do torchbearers wear during their Relay segment with the Torch Relay?
ATHENS 2004 provides torchbearers and escort runners with an official uniform free of charge. No other attire, signage or decoration is allowed.
How far do torchbearers carry the Olympic flame?
Each torchbearer carries the flame approximately 400 meters. Escort runners and relay staff accompany the torchbearer. No other participant may run within proximity to the torchbearer envelope.
Are individuals with special needs able to be torchbearers?
Yes. ATHENS 2004 accommodates torchbearers of all capabilities within the confines of the Olympic Torch Relay operations.
How old do you have to be in order to be a torchbearer or escort runner?
All torchbearers and escort runners must be at least 14 years old as of 25 March 2004.
Are elected officials or declared political candidates eligible to be torchbearers?
No. Candidates running for public or political office or elected officials may not be selected.
Are torchbearers allowed to choose their escort runners or have people assist/accompany them during the running segment?
No. Escort runners provide a functional role and are chosen separately through the National Olympic Committees, Coca-Cola and Samsung based on their athletic ability. Only those approved escort runners, who meet the physical fitness criteria, may accompany a torchbearer.
Are torchbearers or escort runner slots transferable or allowed to be awarded to others?
No, torchbearer slots are not transferable.
May torchbearers select their running location?
No. Unfortunately, the large number of torchbearers makes it impossible to permit torchbearers to select their running position on the route. ATHENS 2004 determines the positions based on multiple factors, which includes trying to place the torchbearers and escort runners as close as possible to their hometowns or represented country.
If a torchbearer is ill or misses an assigned slot, what happens?
ATHENS 2004 will reassign the slot to someone on the waiting list.
Who gets to light the cauldron at celebration sites and to open the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games?
ATHENS 2004 works with cities and National Olympic Committees to decide whom their first and final torchbearers will be in each city. ATHENS 2004 will select a final torchbearer to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games on 13 August 2004. This is a closely held secret until the final moment.
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