Olympic Flame Disappears -- For Now

(ATR) - Organizers tell Around the Rings the Tokyo Olympic flame could reappear soon ... 

Compartir
Compartir articulo
infobae

(ATR) The Olympic flame lit in Greece for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is currently in hiding somewhere in Japan. But keepers of the flame say they are working on plans to return this symbol of the Games back into public view – perhaps in a way never considered before.

Last seen publicly April 8, the flame is now being kept in an undisclosed "secure location" following postponement of the Tokyo Olympics until 2021. The relay is the first high profile prelude to the Games to slide off the table.

For Tokyo 2020, what to do with the flame for the next year is one of the myriad questions Tokyo 2020 organizers are dealing with in the wake of postponing the Games.

There were signs the torch relay was in trouble beginning with the March 18 ceremony to light the flame in Olympia, Greece.

Anti-corona virus measures limited the ceremony to about 100 instead of the thousands usually on hand for this quadrennial event. As the weeklong relay across Greece got underway the next day, large crowds along the route near Sparta led the government to decree an immediate halt. The flame reemerged a week later in an austere handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

Then it was off to Japan in a chartered flight, landing near Fukushima, the earthquake-ravaged city where the Japan leg of the torch relay was to begin March 26.

A mere two days before the first of 10,000 runners were to launch thethree month relay, the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and government leaders called for a postponement of the Games until 2021.

Abandoned in Fukushima with limited viewing permitted, the flame was taken away April 8 with no word on where it would go and what would happen to it over the course of the next year.

As far as the flame goes, presumably it remains aglow in the three safety lanterns that accompanied it from Athens to Japan.

"Tokyo 2020 is ensuring the Flame that was lit in Greece remains alight here in Japan. We are unable to disclose the precise details of how the flame is being kept alight," says a statement to Around the Rings from Tokyo 2020.

Whether that means a 24/7 watch over the flame until the relaunch of the relay next year, is not exactly clear. While Tokyo 2020 says it is responsible for the custody of the flame, perhaps it resides behind the security of a Japanese Defense Forces facility .

However, organizers are apparently keen not to hide their light under a bushel, as the old expression goes.

Asked whether the flame would be put on display via an online presence, Tokyo 2020 says that’s under consideration.

"Thank you for your valuable suggestion," says the statement.

"Following the postponement of the Torch Relay for the first time in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are discussing a number of options—including your proposal—with the International Olympic Committee and other related organizations," says Tokyo 2020.

Details to follow.

Reported byEd Hula. For general comments or questions,click here.

Recent Articles

The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

The World Friendship Games (WFG) will feature competitions in 36 sports and will award 283 medals to the winners. The Russian Government announced that a press conference will soon be held to present them with more details and clarified that the invitations to participate are addressed to athletes and not to countries.
The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

From France, information indicates that the site chosen for the Olympic fire to be lit since July 26 would be the emblematic Tuileries Garden. Official sources did not confirm the fact, but they recognize the idea that it is located in the heart of Paris and in full view of fans.
Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

The parade in the Mediterranean will be minutes before disembarkation at the Old Port of Marseille; they must meet certain requirements and apply to participate.
Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

The attack in Moscow threatened the whole of Europe and security in Paris is once again in the spotlight, just four months after the parade of delegations on the Seine River.
France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?

Although all the expectations for July 26 are set on an opening ceremony that promises to be extraordinary, it is likely that, in the hour before the party, the world will attend a parade of luminaries from sports, arts and entertainment.
Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?