thepianoman

I'm pretty sure that the problem was due to a computer error and not a mechanical issue. If you watch the footage you can clearly see the point where it breaks, it stops quite abruptly and shakes a bit.

There's also a commentary free option on that stream if you're able to access it

Where was there a red centaur? Must have missed that

All the petals have been given to the delegations now, so there's only really the base and stems left. I would assume it's probably in storage somewhere? Can't imagine they would just destroy it but it's not anything attractive to display on its own. Discovered this picture of the cauldron hiding under the stadium floor waiting for it's petals to be attached I still think it's amazing how well LOCOG managed to keep it a secret, especially in this day and age when everything leaks out eventually!

Thanks for the photo! I must say it looks a bit lonely and unloved out there in a car park- I guess it was never the most popular of designs? I personally think the cauldron itself isn't too bad, but its been completely ruined by putting it on top of that ugly metal tower. Do people use the stairs?

Wow, thanks Kenadian! Definitely answered a lot of my questions and more! I must say I'm surprised that Atlantas is still there, tower and all- I don't seem to remember seeing any photos or mentions of it post games- in contrast to Sydney and Vancouver, who seem to have made good use of theirs.

I know I asked this earlier in the thread- but there were some really interesting answers so I'll ask again: what has happened to Olympic Cauldrons of past games? There's a few I know of now, but it would be interesting to find out more. 2012: I assume the cauldron will no longer exist beyond the copper petals- given what the designer said about it being a "one off moment" etc. I think it's unlikely that we'll see any kind of replica- my guess is the base may just be kept in storage/destroyed? 2010: The outdoor cauldron is still there as far as I'm aware- obviously the indoor one was only ever temporary. 2008: I've seen photos of the cauldron being taken off the roof after the games, but I've not seen anything of it since. I'm sure I read somewhere that it was going on display somewhere?? 2004-2006: Not sure on these- can someone enlighten me? (pun intended) 2002: The tower and cauldron is still on display. 2000: The cauldron is now a fountain, without the central stem. 1996-1998: Again, not sure on the whereabouts of these. I'm especially interested in Atlanta's. I assume they took down the supporting tower etc, but did they keep the cauldron itself? That's as far back as I'll go for now- but any information which could fill the gaps would be very interesting

The BBC commentators mentioned during the parade that the petals would "play an important role later", which made it quite obvious that they were related to the cauldron!

I think that's just one of the rings being used earlier in the show

The cables are more than capable of lifting a cauldron. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17905304

Personally I was thinking more along the lines that if the cauldron was in fact there, it could be hidden under the observation deck then slide out onto the platform which has been added.

That's a very good find Cody- it's difficult to tell from that photo. But a few of us have said all along that the Orbit would be a great spot for the cauldron- so perhaps this is where it will be!

I think I see where you mean Cody- the underside of the Orbit observation deck?

I saw this too- but on my TV it looked like it could have been a still image/placeholder being shown on the video screens on the roof?

Slightly off-topic in terms of this years cauldron I know, but something that's always interested me is what happens to the cauldrons AFTER the Olympics. The only one I know about is the Sydney Cauldron, which is now part of a fountain in a park nearby. Does anyone have information or even better, any pictures of other cauldrons post-Olympics?

Am I right in thinking that the last cauldron to be visible only inside the stadium would be Seoul's in 1988?

The only explanation I can think of is that the method of lighting the cauldron can only be done inside the stadium?

Ah good point- I'd forgotten all about the canals! So a journey from Tower Bridge to the stadium by boat is very possible!

I wonder if it's perhaps something in the style of what Melbourne did in their Commonwealth Opening Ceremony in 2006: they set up a pathway of floating barges on their river, on which the baton was walked across towards the stadium throughout the ceremony. TV coverage occasionally cut to show the progress of where the baton was. Something similar might work well in this case- with the coverage cutting to show the torch making it's final journey towards the stadium? It seems feasible then that after being held at Tower Bridge, it will leave during the ceremony- which is when the display happens?

The stadium isn't a huge distance away from the Thames/Tower Bridge- although the journey wouldn't be possible completely by boat.

It seems very likely that this is the route it's going to take, and I'm sure it'll be shown in the ceremony, especially since they've made the effort to include all the fireworks and bridge opening. I'm sure the different torch was just a test- probably to check if the flame could stay alight at the speed of the boat.

With regards to the ATR article- is it possible that their source actually meant that the cauldron will only be visible inside the stadium during the ceremony? Or does he specifically say for the duration of the games?

Just posted this in the ceremony spoilers thread- but thought you guys might be interested too since it's flame related. Discovered a very interesting video of some firework effects being tested on Tower Bridge: Most interestingly though is the description of the video: Could this be how the torch reaches the stadium?? It ties in with the river flowing through the centre of the set.

If the cauldron does rise out of the stadium floor then it should be a great moment- plus it'll have been buried under those green fields all that time without us knowing! Do you think if this is the case it's been hidden under there since the stage was constructed? With all the aerial shots of the stadium during the building of the stage I'm amazed none of them caught sight of it!

It looks like it could be the platform where the huge bell is mounted at the start?