The Olympic flame arrives in Marseille on Wednesday, May 8, after being lit on April 16 at the Sanctuary of Olympia in Greece, and then transported by sea from Athens on April 27. This ritual seems inseparable from the image of the Olympic Games, however, it did not exist in ancient Greece or during the early modern games. The tradition of the Olympic flame relay was invented and did not have any significance during the ancient Olympic events in Olympia.
The Olympic competitions in ancient times took place over five days and did not involve the lighting of a flame or any relay ceremonies. The idea of a torch relay was inspired by relay torch races in certain cities, like Athens, but not in Olympia where the games were held. The modern relay had to be introduced later on, as the early modern Olympic games did not include the Olympic rings, flame, or relay that we see today.
The concept of the Olympic flame was introduced in the 1920s after the impact of World War I, with the introduction of the Olympic flag, oath, salute, and motto. The torch relay was first introduced at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, proposed by Carl Diem, a German sports theorist, and supported by the Nazi regime to showcase their connection to ancient Greece and promote their ideology through the Games.
Despite Carl Diem’s affiliation with the Nazi regime, the torch relay was seen as a powerful symbol for Germany, linking the Nazis to ancient Greeks and promoting their ideology. The torch relay was received positively at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, with international media praising the spectacle and Pierre de Coubertin viewing it as a theatrical fulfillment of his vision for the Games.
After World War II, some Olympic symbols were abandoned due to their association with Nazism, such as the Olympic salute introduced in 1924. However, the torch relay continued as a powerful symbol of the Olympic Games. The legacy of the 1936 Berlin Olympics and Carl Diem’s involvement in the Nazi regime continue to be a topic of debate within the Olympic community.
The torch relay has continued to be a significant part of the Olympic Games, representing the connection between the modern Games and the ancient traditions. Despite the controversial origins of the torch relay in the context of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, it has remained a symbol of unity and peace in the Olympic movement, continuing to be a central aspect of the opening ceremonies of each Olympics.
