Katerina Swanson
The Olympic torch has been fuelled by a variety of sources over the years, including gunpowder, olive oil, formaldehyde and ammonia. However, since the 1972 Munich Games, Olympic torches have been powered by liquid fuels stored in small canisters. The 1996 Atlanta Olympic torch was fuelled by propylene, while the 2000 Sydney Olympic torch used a mixture of 35% propane and 65% butane. This mixture was also used for the 2006 Olympic torch, which added a specially designed flare to keep the flame burning during its underwater journey across the Great Barrier Reef. The 2024 Paris Olympics used biopropane to power the Olympic torch, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the Torch Relay and bringing the Games closer to their sustainability goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Propane, Butane, Biopropane, Propylene, Polypropylene, Olive oil, Gunpowder, Formaldehyde and ammonia |
| Burn time | 15 minutes |
| Fuel capacity | N/A |
| Fuel consumption | N/A |
| Fuel storage | Liquid fuels stored in a small canister |
| Fuel pipe material | Brass and copper alloy |
| Fuel sustainability | Reduced carbon emissions |
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What You'll Learn
The 2024 Paris Olympics used biopropane
The Olympic Games have always been a symbol of unity and peace, connecting the modern Games with their historical roots in ancient Greece. The Olympic torch and flame are enduring symbols of the spirit and ancient history of the Games, evoking unity, power, and possibility.
In 2021, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced its Climate Commitment, stating its intention to align with the Paris Agreement on climate change. As part of this commitment, the Paris Organizing Committee set a goal to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the 2024 Olympic Games by half compared to previous Games.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the committee selected biopropane, also known as renewable propane, to power the Olympic torch. Biopropane offers the same reliability, portability, and power as conventional propane but with reduced emissions. It is produced from a variety of renewable feedstocks, including plant and vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. The use of biopropane for the Olympic torch helped the Paris Games achieve their sustainability goals and reduce the carbon footprint of the Torch Relay, which began on May 8 in Marseille.
The 2024 Paris Olympics is taking a holistic approach to sustainability, incorporating it into every aspect of the Games. For example, the Olympic Village will be transformed into new residential and business districts after the event, providing homes and workplaces for thousands of people. Additionally, the IOC is working to clean the River Seine and improve local infrastructure, benefiting the local community. The Paris Olympics is also focusing on reducing emissions in areas such as infrastructure, games, electric sources, food and catering, and transportation.
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Propane is a popular choice
The torch's fuel sources have included gunpowder, olive oil, and a mixture of formaldehyde and ammonia, but these were not ideal. To improve efficiency and safety, Olympic officials introduced liquid fuels stored in a small canister for the torch at the 1972 Munich Games. While liquid fuels have been the standard ever since, propane was first used for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This version used a mixture of 35% propane and 65% butane (cigarette lighter fuel), creating a safe solution that was more environmentally friendly, lightweight, and produced less smoke.
Propane has become a go-to fuel for the Olympic torch due to its reliability, portability, and reduced emissions compared to other energy sources. It is also a cleaner-burning alternative to other traditional fuels, helping the International Olympic Committee (IOC) achieve its sustainability goals. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch, for instance, was fuelled entirely by propane because there was no risk of pollution. Similarly, the 2024 Paris Olympics used biopropane, a type of renewable propane, to power the Olympic torch and achieve its sustainability goals.
Biopropane, also known as renewable propane, can be made from a variety of renewable feedstocks such as plant and vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It offers the same reliability, portability, and power as conventional propane but with lower carbon emissions. The use of biopropane in the 2024 Paris Olympics fuelled the torch relay for over 10 weeks, with the torch made of recycled steel, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the games.
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The 1996 torch used propylene
The Olympic Games in 1996 were held in Atlanta, and the torch relay took place from April 27 to July 19, 1996, covering 26,875 kilometres (16,699 miles) across the United States. The torch relay was designed to be a "celebration of Americana", and it featured a wide variety of transport methods, including bicycles, boats, and trains. The torch was even carried into space for the first time by astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.
The 1996 Olympic torch was designed by Peter Mastrogiannis, in collaboration with Malcolm Grear Designers and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The torch drew inspiration from ancient torches made of bound reeds and the lines of classical Greek architecture. It featured 22 aluminium "reeds", each representing a modern Olympic Games edition. The centre grip was crafted from Georgia pecan wood, and two wide gold bands adorned the torch. One band bore the names of all the Olympic Games host cities, while the other displayed the emblem of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and the Quilt of Leaves motif.
The 1996 Olympic torch used propylene as its fuel source. This decision was made to enhance the brightness of the flame. Propylene offered a brighter burn compared to the initially considered propane. The combustion duration of the torch was 20 minutes. The use of propane or propylene as fuel for the Olympic torch has been a topic of discussion, with some sources indicating the use of propane based on the smell of the torch during the relay.
The torch relay for the 1996 Olympic Games began in Greece, with Konstantinos "Kostas" Koukodimos, an Olympic athlete in long jump, serving as the first torchbearer. Over 800 torchbearers carried the torch across Greece, covering a distance of 2,141 kilometres (1,330 miles). The flame was then handed over to the United States, where the relay continued with over 12,000 torchbearers, including Muhammad Ali, who had the honour of igniting the Olympic cauldron.
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Fuels have evolved over time
The Olympic Torch has been a symbol of the Olympic Games since 1928, connecting the modern Games with their historical roots in ancient Greece. Over the years, the torch's design and fuel sources have evolved. The first torches were fuelled by gunpowder, olive oil, and a mixture of formaldehyde and ammonia. However, these fuel sources proved to be inefficient and unsafe. To address this, Olympic officials introduced liquid fuels stored in small canisters for the 1972 Munich Games. This marked a turning point, as liquid fuels became the standard for subsequent Olympic Games.
The choice of fuel for the Olympic Torch also reflects a broader evolution in fuel sources and technologies. In the past, fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, were the primary sources of energy. However, the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels have driven a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable alternatives. For example, the recognition of climate change, pollution, and the negative consequences of fossil fuels has led to a global shift towards renewable and sustainable energy sources. This transition is evident in the choice of propane, and more recently biopropane, to fuel the Olympic Torch.
Biopropane, also known as renewable propane, is derived from plant and vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It offers the same reliability, portability, and power as conventional propane but with lower carbon emissions. The use of biopropane in the 2024 Paris Olympics is a testament to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.
The evolution of fuels extends beyond the Olympic Torch, with global efforts to phase out fossil fuels and reduce air pollution. Nuclear power, hydropower, wind, and solar energy are now preferred over fossil fuels due to their lower environmental impact. This transition is not just about environmental concerns but also about social and economic considerations. The "just transition" concept, for example, aims to protect workers' rights and livelihoods as economies shift towards sustainable production methods.
In conclusion, the evolution of the Olympic Torch's fuel sources mirrors the broader transformation in the energy landscape. The move from traditional fossil fuels to renewable alternatives, such as biopropane, reflects a global recognition of the need to protect the environment, improve air quality, and address climate change. As the world continues to seek more sustainable solutions, the evolution of fuels will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in shaping our future.
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The 2008 relay's CO2 emissions
The 2008 Olympic Torch Relay, in the lead-up to the Beijing Summer Olympics, was met with controversy over its carbon footprint. The relay, with the theme "Journey of Harmony", lasted 129 days and carried the torch 137,000 km (85,000 miles) — the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay since the tradition began in 1936. The torch visited 23 cities across six continents, including London, Paris, San Francisco, Bangkok, Islamabad, and Almaty.
The mode of transport for the torch was a custom Air China A330 plane, which burns 5.4 gallons of fuel per mile. This equates to a total of 462,400 gallons of jet fuel for the entire trip. According to Earthlab, burning a gallon of jet fuel produces 23.88 pounds of CO2. Therefore, the Olympic Torch Relay added about 11 million pounds or 5,500 tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
The high carbon emissions from the relay sparked criticism and protests from various groups, particularly those concerned with China's human rights record, the struggle for freedom in Tibet, and the country's position as the top CO2-emitting country at the time. The Beijing Organizing Committee did not initially disclose any plans to neutralize the carbon emissions from the torch-carrying jet.
To address the environmental impact, London, the host city of the 2012 Summer Olympics, committed to ensuring that its torch relay would be carbon neutral. This highlighted the growing awareness of sustainability and the need to reduce carbon emissions associated with Olympic events.
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Frequently asked questions
The Olympic Torch typically burns enough fuel to stay lit for approximately 15 minutes in windless environments. The amount of fuel used depends on the length of the relay, which can vary. For example, the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay travelled 50,000 miles and emitted 6,447,600 pounds of CO2.
The Olympic Torch has used various fuels over the years, including gunpowder, olive oil, formaldehyde, ammonia, and liquid fuels. Since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, propane has been the standard fuel, with a mixture of 35% propane and 65% butane.
Propane is used for the Olympic Torch because it is stable, consistent, and environmentally friendly compared to other fuel options. It also burns cleanly, helping the International Olympic Committee (IOC) achieve its sustainability goals.
The Olympic Torch has an aluminum base that houses a small fuel tank. The fuel rises through the handle and is pushed through a brass valve with thousands of tiny openings, creating pressure. Once the fuel passes through the openings, the pressure drops, and the liquid fuel turns into a burnable gas.
