The first Olympic torch relay in the modern Olympic Games was held in 1936 in Berlin, marking the beginning of a long tradition in the Summer Olympics. Since then, the torch as a symbol has achieved a new status in the Olympics.
In every edition of the games, the host city gets to design its own torch to reflect its culture or pay tribute to the Olympic history.
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, WWD looks back at this 88-year-old tradition that symbolizes the passing of the Olympic spirit from generation to generation. See the photos below.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Paris 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic torch was designed by Mathieu Lehanneur. It features a symmetrical form that embodies the parity between male and female athletes.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Tokyo 2020
Image Credit: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Tokujin Yoshioka designed the Tokyo 2020 torch, which is made from recycled aluminum and has a top that represents the shape of the Japanese cherry blossom.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Rio de Janeiro 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Chelles & Hayashi designed the Rio de Janeiro 2016 torch. The golden triangle on the top of the torch represents the three Olympic values — respect, excellence and friendship — while the green and blue represent the nature surrounding the city.
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Olympic Torch Designs: London 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby designed the London 2012 torch, which was made of aluminum alloy skin and perforated by 8,000 circles to represent the 8,000 torchbearers who would carry the flame.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Beijing 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images The Beijing 2008 torch was designed by the company Lenovo. It features a traditional Chinese design known as Lucky Cloud.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Athens 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Andreas Varotsos designed the Athens 2004 torch, inspired by an olive tree leaf.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Sydney 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images Designed by Robert Jurgens, the Sydney 2000 torch represents three famed areas of Australian culture: the boomerang, the Sydney Opera House and the waters of the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Atlanta 1996
Image Credit: Getty Images The Atlanta 1996 torch, designed by Peter Mastrogiannis and Malcolm Grear Designers, prominently featured 22 aluminum “reeds” symbolizing the number of times the Games had been held.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Barcelona 1992
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images The Barcelona 1992 torch, designed by André Ricard Sala, was created to resemble a flower pot and a cauldron.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Seoul 1988
Image Credit: Getty Images The Seoul 1988 torch, designed by Lee Woo-Sung, was engraved with two dragons symbolizing the harmony of East and West.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Los Angeles 1984
Image Credit: Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima The Los Angeles 1984 torch featured the words of the Olympic motto (“Citius, Altius, Fortius”) and the plaque of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Moscow 1980
Image Credit: TASS/AFP via Getty Images The Moscow 1980 torch, designed by Boris Tutschin, is intended to resemble a comet and its colors represent the four seasons — white for fall and winter, gold for summer and spring.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Montreal 1976
Image Credit: Toronto Star via Getty Images Georges Huel and Michel Daillaire created the Montreal 1976 torch design. It resembles a microphone with holes representing the aboriginals of Canada.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Munich 1972
Image Credit: Toronto Star via Getty Images Hagri Kettwig designed the Munich 1972 torch, which resembles a sword. The logo represents the sun, the moon and the stars.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Mexico City 1968
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive The Mexico City 1968 torch was designed by James Metcalfe. The torch resembles a potato masher.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Tokyo 1964
Image Credit: Getty Images Sori Yanagi created the Tokyo 1964 torch design inspired by the minimalist influence in fashion at the time. It resembles a fencing sword.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Rome 1960
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive The Rome 1960 torch was designed by Pier Luigi Nervi and Amedeo Maiuri. Covered with bronze, the torch was a nod to Ancient Rome.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Melbourne 1956
Image Credit: Fairfax Media via Getty Images The Melbourne 1956 torch was designed by Ralph Lavers.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Finland 1952
Image Credit: ullstein bild via Getty Images The Finland 1952 torch was designed by Aukusti Tuhka.
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Olympic Torch Designs: London 1948
Image Credit: Getty Images Ralph Lavers designed the London 1948 torch.
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Olympic Torch Designs: Berlin 1936
Image Credit: Getty Images Walter Lemcke and Peter Wolf designed the Berlin 1936 torch.