Russia to Send Olympic Torch to Space: A Historic First

by Jasmine August 31, 2024

written by Jasmine August 31, 2024

Russia to Send Olympic Torch to Space for First Time

In a groundbreaking move, Russia is preparing to send the Olympic torch to space for the first leg of the torch relay for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. This will mark the first time that the Olympic torch has left Earth’s atmosphere.

Cosmonauts to Take Olympic Torch on Spacewalk

Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryazansky and Oleg Kotov will carry the Olympic torch on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The spacewalk is scheduled to take place in early November as part of the four-month torch relay, which begins on October 7.

History of the Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic torch relay is a relatively modern tradition, first introduced for the 1936 Berlin Games. The idea for the relay is credited to Carl Diem, a German professor and Olympic official, who saw it as a way to connect the ancient Olympics to the modern games. For the 1936 Summer Games, the Olympic torch was ignited in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, and then carried to Berlin.

The tradition of the torch relay has continued ever since, with the first Winter Olympic flame being carried from Olympia to Oslo in 1952. Over the years, organizers have sought to add political or symbolic meanings to the torch’s path, or to break new ground with how the torch is carried.

Technological Advancements in the Torch Relay

The modes of transport used to carry the Olympic torch have become increasingly diverse over the years, not only for practical reasons, but also to showcase the particularities of the regions crossed.

In 1952, the flame traveled by air. In 1976, the flame was transmitted by satellite between Athens and Ottawa. In 1988, the torch crossed the Arctic Circle. In 2000, a diver carried the torch beneath the waves to the Great Barrier Reef.

Russia’s jaunt into space for the 2014 games is not even the first time the tradition has gone to space. The torch (but not the flame) was carried into space by astronauts during the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games.

The Future of the Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic torch relay is a cherished tradition that has evolved over time to reflect the changing world. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see even more innovative and groundbreaking ways to carry the Olympic torch in the future.

Additional Information

Winter Olympics History
How Olympic Bodies Have Changed Over Time

Jasmine

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