PyeongChang 2018 Unveils Olympic Torch and Torchbearer Uniform

Olympic Torch for PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, produced by
Hanwha Corporation, was unveiled. The following is an article published by PyeongChang
Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Games (POCOG).
Please click here to view the article in PyeongChang 2018 website.

[February 9, 2017] PyeongChang 2018 has seen another milestone in its countdown, with the unveiling of the Olympic Torch and torchbearer uniform at the One-Year-to-Go Countdown Ceremony in Gangneung where the ice sport competitions of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games will take place.

The torch was revealed at the Gangneung Ice Hockey Centre on Thursday by Yuna Kim, Olympic Figure Skating gold medalist, Magnus Kim, who won Korea’s first gold medal in the history of cross-country skiing at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, and five young local students. Wearing the PyeongChang 2018 torchbearer uniform, they showed off the torch at the One-Year-to-Go Countdown Ceremony.

The 700 mm torch represents the altitude of PyeonChang which is 700 meters above sea level. The white and gold tones, which are the main colors of PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay, represent the Olympic Winter Games – a global festival that is held on white snow and ice – and torch relay.

The shape of the flame has five prongs which is the form of “ * “– the symbol of PyeongChang. The symbol is also engraved around the bottom half and top of the torch.

The five-angled shape in the middle of the cap represents the spirit of sports, which connects races, nations, religions, genders, cultures, and the five continents around the world united with passion. The flame will spark passion throughout the globe and connect us together while demonstrating the power of sport to unite and inspire people in a way that little else does.

The torch was designed by Korean designer Young Se Kim who believes design is about making people happy and creating something that people want. It is also a local company who are producing the torch. The torches will be produced by PyeongChang 2018 Official Supplier, the Hanwha Corporation, who is very familiar with what is required, having also produced the Seoul 1988 Olympic Torch.

The torch is designed so that the flame will continue to burn in various weather conditions. In particular, considering the strong winds and heavy snow in Korea, when wind blows towards the flame, an air-tunnel is created which provides more oxygen which keeps the flame lit throughout the torch relay. There is also a pentagon shaped hole in the bottom of the torch so any water can drain to the bottom of the torch keeping the flame gleaming in rainy conditions.

The torchbearer uniform was also unveiled at the One-Year-to-Go Countdown Ceremony. It is produced by PyeongChang 2018 Official Partner The North Face. The design combined the colors of the white Olympic Torch and blue, yellow, black, green, and red from the Olympic Rings.

The uniform was also designed to be comfortable and practical for torchbearers who will run in different weather conditions. The back and sleeves are made of water-repellent fabric while the front and shoulders are made out of waterproof fabric. Hybrid material was used for the jacket fillings to keep the torchbearers warm in the cold.

POCOG President LEE Hee-beom said, “Unveiling the Olympic Torch at the PyeongChang 2018 One-Year-to-Go Ceremony represents the start of a countdown to a remarkable celebration. With its beautiful design and technical features, the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch will become a symbol of excitement and inspiration of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch Relay will bring the spotlight to PyeongChang, sparking passion to connect the world together.”

IOC Coordination Commission Chair Gunilla Lindberg said, “I would like to congratulate POCOG on their beautiful Olympic Torch and torchbearer uniforms, which will play a major role in bringing the excitement of the Games to the whole of the Republic of Korea next winter. The Olympic Torch Relay is unique in its ability to unite people and to transmit the Olympic values. I am confident that a new generation of Koreans will embrace the Olympic Torch Relay, as happened ahead of the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, and that the world will appreciate this important symbol of Korean design.”

Together with the three Presenting Partners - Coca-Cola, Samsung, and KT, the torch will be carried by 7,500 torchbearers during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay.