WHISTLER, B.C. - Olympic tradition meets laid-back, west coast counterculture in the 2010 Winter Olympics' torch, unveiled Thursday to commemorate the one-year countdown to the Games.
The 94.5-centimetre white torch with silver trim, jointly designed by Canadian aerospace and rail giant Bombardier and Games' organizer VANOC, is emblazoned with the Vancouver 2010 Ilanaaq the Inukshuk logo and a red maple leaf. It is supposed to represent coastal mountain slopes and appears like an icicle. When lit, however, it will resemble a giant marijuana cigarette.
A VANOC news release said the torch is "inspired by both the lines carved into the snow by skiers schussing down mountains and the undulating beauty of the snowy Canadian landscape" and was developed for more than a year by engineers.
Some 12,000 stainless steel, aluminum and sheet-moulding compound units will be produced for torchbearers on the 106-day, 45,000-kilometre journey that will end Feb. 12, 2010 at the opening ceremony in B.C. Place Stadium. The Vancouver 2010 slogan "With Glowing Hearts/Des Plus Brillants Exploits" is engraved on silver strips.
When filled with a mix of propane, isobutane and hydrocarbons, each torch will weigh 1.6 kilograms and will function at temperatures ranging from -50 to 40 Celsius. Being Canada, it is more likely to encounter the former than the latter. The flame will burn in each torch for at least 12 minutes, which should be enough for each bearer to cover their 300 metre quota.
Also unveiled Thursday were Hudson's Bay Company-designed track suits to be worn by the torchbearers. The predominantly white uniforms have a green and blue left sleeve and the Olympic torch relay logo on the chest and pants pocket. Torchbearers will also wear red mittens, a "nod to classic Canadiana," according to the news release.
pea: cool design. not like the traditional torch. more like an orange peeler.
(taken from www.nugget.ca)
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