Fact Check: Pics Show Olympic Torches Over the Years?

Claim:

Images shared in late July 2024 showed Olympic torches over the years.

Rating:

Mostly True ( About this rating? )

Context:

The images accurately depicted Olympic torches from various years. However, one of the images incorrectly reported the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens took place in 2006.

In late July 2024, shortly after the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics, images purportedly depicting Olympic torches over the years were posted to Reddit, gaining more than 68,000 upvotes and 3,400 comments.

The Olympic torches over the years.
by u/immatureboy7 in Damnthatsinteresting

"Idk why but Moscow/LA and Seoul are all giving medieval weaponry vibe. Like you can hold it with both hands and go thump! on the head of your opponent that sort of vibe," the most popular comment under the post read.

The images also spread on other social media platforms, such as X , Instagram and Facebook .

In short, the images accurately depicted Olympic torches from various years. However, it should be noted that one of the images incorrectly reported the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens took place in 2006. Therefore, we have rated this claim as "Mostly True."

We searched for the torches on the official Olympic Games website . "First used at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, the modern torches of the Summer and Winter Olympics are built to resist the effects of wind and rain as they carry the Olympic flame, and bear unique designs that represent the host country and the spirit of the Games," the Olympics website said .

The first graphic showed Olympic torches from 2024 (Paris), 2020 (Tokyo), 2016 (Rio de Janeiro), and 2012 (London).

(Reddit u/immatureboy7)

All of the above photographs accurately depicted the Olympic torches from the specified years (see image below).

(olympics.com)

The 2020 Summer Olympics torch took its inspiration from the cherry blossom, a symbolic tree in Japan. "It flares out at the top to form five petals from which the flame emerges and which, seen from above, recall the shape of a cherry-blossom flower," the Olympics' website said.

The 2016 Summer Olympics torch aimed to "reflect the meeting of the Olympic flame with the human warmth of the people of Brazil." The body of the torch had a texture made of small triangles, as an allusion to the three Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

The description of the torch for the 2012 Summer Olympics stated its triangular shape referred to the "multiples of three found in the Olympic Movement's values of excellence, friendship and respect, the Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius,' and London's hosting of the Games for a third time."

The 2024 Summer Olympics' torch was also accurately presented in the image. "The Paris 2024 Torch is distinguished first and foremost by its colour, which is both unique and radiant," a news release on the topic said , underscoring that its design was inspired by the "three themes of Paris 2024: Equality, Water and Peacefulness."

(www.paralympic.org)

The second graphic shared on social media showed Olympic torches from 2008 (Beijing), 2004 (Athens), 2000 (Sydney), and 1996 (Atlanta). The torches from the specified years were accurately represented, but the image incorrectly stated that the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens took place in 2006.

(Reddit u/immatureboy7)

The shape of the 2008 Summer Olympics torch recalled that of a parchment scroll, with an etched pattern representing lucky clouds covering the surface of the upper part of the torch. "The two ends of the torch also have the shape of a cloud, a very old decorative element from Chinese art which can be found on buildings, sculptures and furniture," its description read. "The red Chinese lacquer symbolises the spirit of celebration, enthusiasm and luck."

The shape of the torch for the 2004 Summer Olympics recalled the lines of an olive tree leaf. "Its two-tone aspect, linking the wood of an olive tree and metal, echoes the two sides of the leaf, the colours of which are different," its description explained.

The 2000 Summer Olympics torch took its inspiration from the Sydney Opera House, the blue of the Pacific Ocean and the boomerang. It was made of three layers of different materials: The inside layer was made of stainless steel and contained the fuel system, the blue middle layer was made of anodized aluminum and contained the fuel reservoir, and the outer layer was made of treated aluminum. The Olympics website said the layers "represented earth, water and fire."

The 1996 Summer Olympics torch was inspired by simple ancient torches of bound reeds and the lines of classical Greek architecture.

(olympics.com)

The third image showed Olympic torches from 1992 (Barcelona), 1988 (Seoul), 1984 (Los Angeles), and 1980 (Moscow).

(Reddit u/immatureboy7)

The torch designed for 1992 Summer Olympics was asymmetrical, with its axis pointing symbolically in the direction of Barcelona. The circular shape of the upper part recalled that of a cauldron and also featured the final destination of the flame. "The conical and triangular shapes that appear in the design of the torch are inspired by the amphora and by the Latin sail, giving it a Mediterranean character," the description of the torch read.

At the top of the 1988 Summer Olympics torch was the Olympic emblem as well as traditional Korean designs representing two engraved dragons symbolizing the harmony of East and West. Its description explained that in Chinese astrology, the dragon was also the sign for the year 1988.

The Olympic motto, "Citius Altius Fortius", was featured at the top of the 1984 Summer Olympics torch, with a representation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum below it. Its leather-covered handled had a metal ring bearing the caption: "Games of the XXIII Olympiad Los Angeles 1984".

The description of the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics torch read:

The handle and upper part, which bears the inscription MOCKBA – OЛИМПИAДA - 1980, are made of silver. Around the burner is a golden-coloured cup formed of concentric circles. In the centre, on a gold-coloured protective screen, are the emblem of the Games and the Olympic rings.

(olympics.com)

Finally, the last image included in viral social media posts showed Olympic torches from 1976 (Montreal), 1972 (Munich), and 1968 (Mexico City).

(Reddit u/immatureboy7)

The description of the 1976 Summer Olympics ' torch read:

The emblem of the Games featured in white on the red handle. Through its conception, the head of the torch supplied the combustion necessary for the natural absorbent cotton impregnated with the fuel that was housed inside. Its black colour was aimed at highlighting the flame.

The torch designed for the 1972 Summer Games had the inscription "Spiele der XX Olympiad München 1972," the Olympic rings on its handle, and the emblem of the Games on a platform at the base of the combustion tube.

The 1968 Summer Olympics torch had the caption "Mexico 68" carved and traced twice in the metal, as well as vertical grooves on the body of the torch.

(olympics.com)

With regard to 2024 Games, we have recently investigated a claim that the Olympic opening ceremony featured Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper." We also debunked a false rumor that "anti-sex" beds were installed for athletes in the Olympic Village in Paris.

Sources:

Ibrahim, Nur. "'Anti-Sex' Beds Installed for Athletes at 2024 Olympics?" Snopes, 14 June 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/anti-sex-bed-2024-olympics/ .

IOC. "Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 18 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/athens-2004/torch-relay .

---. "Atlanta 1996 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/atlanta-1996/torch-relay .

---. "Barcelona 1992 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/barcelona-1992/torch-relay .

---. "Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2008/torch-relay .

---. "London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/london-2012/torch-relay .

---. "Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/los-angeles-1984/torch-relay .

---. "Mexico City 1968 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/mexico-city-1968/torch-relay .

---. "Montreal 1976 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/montreal-1976/torch-relay .

---. "Moscow 1980 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/moscow-1980/torch-relay .

---. "Munich 1972 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/munich-1972/torch-relay .

---. "Olympic Torch Relay - History, Highlights & Torch Bearers." Olympics.Com, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/olympic-torch-relay . Accessed 30 July 2024.

---. "Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 21 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/rio-2016/torch-relay .

---. "Seoul 1988 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/seoul-1988/torch-relay .

---. "Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay - Highlights." Olympics.Com, 17 Dec. 2020, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/torch-relay .

---. "Tokyo 2020Torch Static - V2." Olympics.Com, 13 Feb. 2023, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/tokyo-2020/torch-relay .

Izzo, Jack. "Olympic Opening Ceremony Featured Da Vinci's 'Last Supper'?" Snopes, 30 July 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/07/30/olympics-last-supper/ .

Paris 2024 Olympics - Latest News, Schedules & Results. https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024 . Accessed 30 July 2024.

"Paris 2024 Reveals the Design of the Paralympic and Olympic Torch." International Paralympic Committee, https://www.paralympic.org/news/paris-2024-reveals-design-paralympic-and-olympic-torch . Accessed 30 July 2024.