When first conceived as a promotional item (by nazis, but let's ignore that part for now), the Olympic Torch relay was supposed to be one thing. The flame, ignited at the summit of Mount Olympus by the sun's rays, and carried in succession to light the ceremonial flame at the start of the games, thus tying oppressive Soviet regimes and Randy Newman back to the classical gods.
Over the years as the games grew in popularity and the airline industry grew less happy about having an open flame in row 16, seat e, certain "consessions" were made to allow for a traveling light in order to reignite the torch during these periods.
This morning, i just read that they lit the torch at the summit of Mt. Everest.
Seriously.
Right, so what, exactly separates this thing from a really expensive bic lighter again?
I was a bit heartbroken to discover that the flame was followed everywhere by a second flame for re-lighting the original flame. I thought it was this precious, flickering emblem, and if it went out DISASTER!!!, but instead it's just "aaahhhh, friggin' thing's out again" and they flick open the Zippo and Bob's your uncle.*
Tragic, really.
*Canadian expression for "there y'go".
Olympic Zippo!
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I bet by 2012 they go to LEDs.