The Olympic torch — specifically, the Olympic flame — is perhaps one of the most sacred traditions of the Olympic Games. It dates back to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, ...

The torch relay is one of the most exciting parts of the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and keeping that flame alive through rain, snow and wind is no small feat. The world tuned in to watch the ...

First, following the lighting of the Olympic flame in Greece, the Olympic torch is brought to the host city of that year's Olympics, either Summer or Winter, by means of transportation.

The torches designed for Milano Cortina 2026, next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy, were made in service of the flame. Named Essential, the reusable, ultra-minimalist torch ...

Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of High Priestess, carries the torch during the Olympic Flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters.

The flame-lighting, with its broad TV coverage — although the official stream shies from showing any form of protest — is a magnet for activists who want to grab headlines.

The flame is eventually used to light the first runner's torch — champagne-colored this year for France — and a long relay through Greece leads to the April 26 handover at the Panathenaic ...

Actress Mary Mina, playing high priestess, right, lights a torch during the official ceremony of the flame lighting for the Paris Olympics, at the Ancient Olympia site, Greece, April 16, 2024.

The Olympic flame spent 12 days at sea before arriving in the French port of Marseille on a three-mast ship for a ceremony kicking off the Paris 2024 Games season.

Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of High Priestess, carries the torch during the Olympic Flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters.