London 2012 Olympic Cauldron...

[TrisL93]

if not on roof,or tall structure...i think,it will be removable like this...it will suit with heatherwick organic design,and most importance,everyone can see it

and this is the right place for it

and i hope it will floating itself...it will be superb

As amazing as that might look the cauldron can't obstruct people's view from the events taking place on the track and field, not to forget that it can't get in the way of the screens as well :/ I'm stooped as to where the cauldron will be. The orbit is my first guess personally.

[kevzz]

Is there still plan to seat all the athletes in the ceremony? Otherwise with all of them on the field, it will be difficult to have the cauldron lit in the middle of the field without creating a large clearance amongst them to ensure high visibility for all spectators.

The more I think about it, the more unlikely it is for the cauldron to be perched on the roof. Structural design incompatibility aside, I just don't think they will do something so similar to Beijing.

Where will the giant bell be located? If there is a stage erected somewhere at the seating tier, that might be a possible location for the cauldron lighting ceremony.

Oh how I love every four years in the days leading up to the opening ceremony when speculations about the cauldron is rife!

[NY20??]

If they remove one set of those floodlights (by that I mean one triangle for lack of better wording), a lightweight cauldron perched on the outer structural ring of the roof could work--specifically above one of the screens. Beijing's cauldron actually covered one set of floodlights so lack of adequate lighting would not have been much of an issue.

But I suppose if this was always the plan, they would of never put up all the floodlights in the first place.

[Olympian2004]

Well actually, as you can see here, the Bird's Nest's floodlights were actually on the rim of the roof. They were just covered during the opening ceremony where theatrical staging lights were used instead.

Yes, but the floodlights were placed in the middle of the rim - they didn't sit at the top of the rim and especially weren't at the same height as the Olympic Flame on top of the cauldron. That's the important thing.

In terms of the construction dates of the most recent Olympic cauldrons -- I've done some research recently and posted it in the opening ceremony thread:

I think that the cauldron lighting method will be quite a surprise, but not the cauldron itself. I don't expect it to sit on the roof because the roof doesn't look like it can sustain such heavy objects (similarly to the problems the Rio 2007 organisers had at Maracana Stadium -- I hope that that problem will be fixed after the renovation of the stadium for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games). And I also don't expect them to put a Seoul-style cauldron beside the track. They also did not dig a hole anywhere on the infield where they could hide a "rising cauldron" from the public. Therefore I see no real alternative to a cauldron tower outside the stadium à la Torino -- so the look of the cauldron will be well-known by opening day.

By the way: I tried to trace back when the cauldrons of previous Olympics were started to be built.

Vancouver: The first reports about the not-so-secret construction site on Jack Poole Plaza came in late October 2009. That makes it three-and-a-half months before the Games' start. See here: http://www.gamesbids...post__p__235424

Beijing: The cauldron was lifted onto the Birds Nest's roof and put under that famous rubber hangar in (obviously late) May 2008, a little bit more than two months before the Games' start. See http://www.china.org...nt_16214170.htm

Torino:The organisers revealed pictures of the cauldron tower on December 21, 2005 (only seven weeks before the Games started), the assembly of the cauldron beside the stadium started by the end of the year 2005 and was finished in mid-January, with one month to go.

Athens: We first got to know that the cauldron will look like a spindle on May 13, 2004 (here's a more detailed text from one day later: http://chronicle.aug...ly_415597.shtml), with three months to go. It must have been a few weeks later that someone here posted a first picture of the spindle lying outside the stadium, waiting to be installed. But I believe the installation didn't take place before the stadium's roof was finished in early June 2004. So it must have been installed with only about two months to go.

So, all in all: London apparently still has plenty of time for the construction (or at least assembly) of its cauldron, when even Torino with its big tower didn't start until the six weeks mark and Beijing waited until late spring. Oh, the tension...

[SwissO]

In Vancouver, the first we see officialy the outdoor cauldron was on January 23rd 2010... less than 3 weeks before the Games ! (the previous information posted on this last message were not about the cauldron at Jack Pool Plaza, but other works at the Canada Place Convention Center)

So plenty of time to make speculation for the London 2012 one....

[Olympian2004]

In Vancouver, the first we see officialy the outdoor cauldron was on January 23rd 2010... less than 3 weeks before the Games ! (the previous information posted on this last message were not about the cauldron at Jack Pool Plaza, but other works at the Canada Place Convention Center)

We saw the first picture of the cauldron behind that scaffolding in January, yes. But from where do you have the information that the scaffolding which was put up and first reported on in October 2009 was for other works at the Convention Center? Sadly, one can't view the video anymore which was behind the link I posted. But if one could, you could see the very same scaffolding as in the January pic, namely the scaffolding for the cauldron. Furthermore, they interviewed a construction worker for that video who had a big "I can't tell" smile on his face when he was asked whether they build the cauldron behind that scaffolding.

So from all I know, it's not true that we first got knowledge of the cauldron's construction in January. Additionally, the cauldron on that January picture was already almost completed. So that shows that they started construction a lot earlier than January 23, 2010.

[SwissO]

We saw the first picture of the cauldron behind that scaffolding in January, yes. But from where do you have the information that the scaffolding which was put up and first reported on in October 2009 was for other works at the Convention Center? Sadly, one can't view the video anymore which was behind the link I posted. But if one could, you could see the very same scaffolding as in the January pic, namely the scaffolding for the cauldron. Furthermore, they interviewed a construction worker for that video who had a big "I can't tell" smile on his face when he was asked whether they build the cauldron behind that scaffolding.

So from all I know, it's not true that we first got knowledge of the cauldron's construction in January. Additionally, the cauldron on that January picture was already almost completed. So that shows that they started construction a lot earlier than January 23, 2010.

I was living in Vancouver at that time and remember well this video and the interview of the guy... it was regarding a scaffolding and works that were on the left side of the canada place (when regarding the water) and not at the Jack Pool Plaza.....

[mattygs]

I remember beijings cauldron was somehow accurately spotted hidden on the roof well before the ceremony.

Can someone remind me how successful Sydney and Athens was in keeping their cauldron a secret till the very moment itself?

I would imagine Sydney's was the most hidden as there's no way anyone can see where it was since it literally was hidden under the floor!

The thing with Sydney's Olympic cauldron, is that being in two parts, it fooled everyone. I have a news article I printed from back in 2000 which featured the *cauldron* being revealed while a bunch of journos were in the stadium for a totally unrelated press event, might have been for the NRL season I think. At the time though, the cauldron was just a mast. It was reported that the cauldron was perhaps to symbolize the Sydney tower. The actual dish of the cauldron though, was extremely well hidden. It was only in the week or so leading up to the event that there was footage from the exterior of the stadium of water dripping down.

From memory the notion of a waterfall was talked about quite often. Also, in the lead up months to the Games when asked about the possibility of Dawn Fraser lighting the cauldron, Ric Birch said that he wouldn't advise it as it could be scary.

[Olympian2004]

I was living in Vancouver at that time and remember well this video and the interview of the guy... it was regarding a scaffolding and works that were on the left side of the canada place (when regarding the water) and not at the Jack Pool Plaza.....

That's strange. But why did the construction worker then have that grin on his face and say, "I can't tell" when he was asked about the cauldron? He could simply have said, "No, we just do some other construction."

But if you lived in Vancouver then: When did they put up the scaffolding for the actual cauldron on Jack Poole Plaza? As I said, it must have been weel before January 23, 2010.

well, not weel

[kevzz]

DarJole from SSC posted some great latest aerial pics of the park.

Noticed there's 14 of these platforms on the roof. Looks quite suspicious to me, what are those platforms for? They look quite big and right in the middle of the span. Wouldn't think you need a service area that big. Look more like a stage to me. These platforms together with the little white boxes on the rim look fishy to me, like they serve another purpose, probably cauldron related.

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Pics source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrenlewis/sets/72157629419221491/

Also I just don't think it's possible at all that the alleged cauldron tower can be located on the northern part of the stadium as in the planning dwg. The only free space is between those pods which is quite tight and it's just not an ideal position at all.

[Mr Tickle]

Its for the ariel performers in the ceremony isnt it, like a holding area, props too I suppose

[kevzz]

As someone said here or the other forum, why would you place the cauldron tower between hot dog and burger stands??

Its for the ariel performers in the ceremony isnt it, like a holding area, props too I suppose

Hmmmm, possibly. If the ceremony requires a lot of props to descend from the sky.

My naive idea is there will be 14 mini cauldron towers on each platform haha

[Mr Tickle]

As theres no hole in the ground, I think a lot of stuff will come in from above

[kevzz]

As theres no hole in the ground, I think a lot of stuff will come in from above

That's right.

I was scrutinizing the aerial shot of the grounds around the stadium. Can't find any nice spot that is ideal for a cauldron tower, except for the colourful mosaic bridge perhaps?

[Ikarus360]

As someone said here or the other forum, why would you place the cauldron tower between hot dog and burger stands??

Hmmmm, possibly. If the ceremony requires a lot of props to descend from the sky.

My naive idea is there will be 14 mini cauldron towers on each platform haha

I hope not. Besides that would be copying what Guadalajara did in the Pan Am Games.

[Olympian2004]

You raised suspicions about the white boxes at the rim of the roof, kevzz. But I seem to remember that someone here said a couple of months ago that they might be storage space for smaller ceremonial props. Or was it something related to the projections we possibly can expect also at this ceremony? Anyway, I only know that it was not related in any way to a possible cauldron.

[kevzz]

It will be interesting to see how they store all the props on the roof without spoiling the aerial shot during the broadcast. Wished they had an underground cavern like in Athens, it allows for much more possibility and flexibility in terms of staging production eg. Athens where they drained the 'pond' in minutes and brings out gigantic staging from under.

How about a mechanical floating cauldron that flies out of the stadium to rest on top of a tower outside the stadium. It will be a spectacle!

[pjpauly2k]

Im intruiged by the Cauldron design now and exactly how it will be lit. I believe it will be a tall structure outside the stadium, but I am more interested in how it will be lit! I hope they try something spectacular though and not just simple and old fashioned.

Here is a video I made of most of the recent winter and summer olympic lightings. Which one do you think London will be most like??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i1r08irN7E&feature=g-upl&context=G2cf8420AUAAAAAAAAAA

[SwissO]

Im intruiged by the Cauldron design now and exactly how it will be lit. I believe it will be a tall structure outside the stadium, but I am more interested in how it will be lit! I hope they try something spectacular though and not just simple and old fashioned.

Here is a video I made of most of the recent winter and summer olympic lightings. Which one do you think London will be most like??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i1r08irN7E&feature=g-upl&context=G2cf8420AUAAAAAAAAAA

My podium :

Gold : Sydney 2000

Silver : Beijing 2008

Bronze : Vancouver 2010

[bomberguy]

Thanks for sharing that video. Some really creative, bold and exciting cauldron lighting in that video. My 2 favourites are Barcelona and Sydney. I also hope that London do something spectacular and memorable!

[kevzz]

That's a brilliant video compilation, thanks for doing that!

Did anyone notice Albertville 1992, the cauldron was lit before the fireball reached it, that's cheating!! LOL

The most spectacular flop is still Vancouver 2010. The guy just looks so awkward standing there holding the torch aimlessly.

My favourite is still Athens 2004. The built up and simplicity of that is just perfect.

Least favourite is Beijing's. Nothing can be more contrived than that.

[munichfan]

My favourites are Barcelona, Sydney and Athens. And I don't think London will make something like we've seen. I've got a new idea now anyway. What if the cauldron would be situated above the middle of the stadium on or around that cabelbox or how to call it? Is that possible?

[Athensfan]

My favourites are Barcelona, Sydney and Athens. And I don't think London will make something like we've seen. I've got a new idea now anyway. What if the cauldron would be situated above the middle of the stadium on or around that cabelbox or how to call it? Is that possible?

No. It would be too heavy and dangerous. Plus you'd have big heavy gas lines running out to the center of the cables. I think it's safe to say that's one option we won't see.

[pjpauly2k]

Glad you like the video.

Im quite convinced now that the cauldron will be a stand alone structure outside the stadium (although I may be wrong). This may seem disapointing at first for TV viewers of the opening ceremony in terms of TV spectacle but in reality it makes it all the more intruiging for me to think how they are going to light it! It seems to me if it was a structure outside the stadium the only options would be:

• Some sort of wire which the flame would travel along (this has been done a few times before i.e Atlanta)
  
• Shoot the flame in i.e Barcelona style, although this has already been done, in my opinion perfectly, so theres no point repeating it.
  
• Sybolically, i.e via firworks like in Torino winter olympics. This to me is spectacular but takes away the intimacy of someone actually physically lighting the flame. (Its not the same fire)
  
• Someone physically being lifted up and out of the staium to the cauldron to light the flame.
  
• A mechanical method, i.e Sydney. Although if the cauldron is outside the stadium, this would have to be pretty elaborate indeed!
  

Apart from that I cant think of anything else. I dont envy the organising comitee who has to choose how it is done, never mind who does it!

[kevzz]

I think any idea of a cauldron flying/ floating out of the stadium to the outside can be discounted as there's a whole array of wires criss-crossing the roof. Too tricky to navigate through them!