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Posted

Looks like bad weather almost ruined the Olympia ritual, forcing them to use the backup flame instead of the reflector. 

Does anyone remember/knows when were the last times this situation happened in previous lightning ceremonies?

http://www.firstpost.com/sports/pyeongchang-winter-olympics-2018-torch-lit-in-ancient-olympia-despite-rain-disruption-4171961.html

Quote

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics 2018 torch lit in Ancient Olympia despite rain disruption

Ancient Olympia: The torch for the Pyeongchang 2018 winter Olympics was lit in ancient Olympia on Tuesday using the backup flame from the dress rehearsal due to rainy weather, kicking off the countdown for the first winter Games in Asia outside Japan.

The run-up to the 9-25 February Olympics has been overshadowed by the escalating crisis on the Korean peninsula triggered by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests but organisers said the Games would be safe.

The traditional ceremony, introduced for the first time ahead of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, did not benefit this time from the Greek sun.

Light rain and clouds forced the high priestess, played by actress Katerina Lechou, to deploy Monday’s backup flame instead of the reflector used to light the flame with the sun’s rays. “Our dream of hosting the Olympic winter Games has now become a reality. Korea is only the second Asian nation to have the honour of hosting the winter Games,” Games chief Lee Hee-beom said.

“We want the international community to understand that we are committed to hosting a safe and secure Olympic winter Games.”

The ceremony inside the stadium, site of the ancient Olympics, was also attended by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and the President of Greece, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

“The Olympic Games are sacred and universal,” Bach said. “They stand above and beyond all the differences that divide us. In our fragile world that seems to be drifting apart, the Olympic Games have the power to unite humanity in all its diversity.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, among the most successful and decorated athletes from his country, was the first South Korean to run with the torch, picking up the flame from Greece’s Nordic skier Apostolos Aggelis, the first torch-bearer, just outside the ancient stadium.

“We will make sure to show the world how we have grown up, how we can organise this sports event,” Park told reporters after his short run.

“This is bigger than Seoul (summer Olympics) 1988. These are the largest winter Olympics ever and I am excited to be part of it.” The flame is due to arrive in South Korea on 1 November for the start of the domestic torch relay as organisers look to boost local enthusiasm amid low ticket sales.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have risen in recent months as Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump exchanged threats and insults over the North’s nuclear and missile development programme.

 

Posted

Apparently this was the first time since 2000 when this happens, since the Sydney Olympia ceremony also suffered of a similar issue (insufficient sun rays which forced to use the backup flame from the rehearsals)

Also the commentarist kind of botchered the event, interrupting the Priestesses during the traditional "Tinella Kallinike" line and the releasing of the dove. He should be fired after this embarasment tbh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rPX2PsbHXs

Posted

When I was watching the live stream of the Lighting Ceremony, there was no sound for the priestesses dance. 

Posted (edited)
On 10/25/2017 at 2:12 AM, PikyoK said:

When I was watching the live stream of the Lighting Ceremony, there was no sound for the priestesses dance. 

That was in honor of the Deaflympics.  -_-

I wonder when Greece will suffer from "Torch Relay" fatigue.  I mean if you miss one this year, "Oh well, it'll be back in like 720 days."??  And you'd think the number of torches that Greece gets after each Torch Relay would help shore up the economy, but neeeeh . . .

Edited by baron-pierreIV
Posted

Handover of the Torch to be done in a few. The Pyeongchang Organizing comittee is already on Athens.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/10/30/0200000000AEN20171030014700315.html

Kim Ki Hoon, former short track speed skater who gave SK their first ever gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Albertville will be the last torchbearer before the priestess light the traditional cauldron at the Panathenaic Stadium

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Posted

The torch has been handed over to the PC2018 Organizing Comittee in the Panatheinac Stadium, as usual, in a short ceremony.

 

The Torch Relay begins tomorrow (Nov. 1) at Incheon. Stay tunned.

Posted

Incheon - Day 1

SK Minister of Culture and Yuna Kim coming from the airplane with the Olympic Flame

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You Young, youngest South Korean skating champion (winning in 2016 with just 13 years old and surpassing Kim Yuna previous record), was the first torchbearer.

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Video of the full Day 1 of the Torch Relay. For those interested they will be streaming the whole 100 days on their Youtube account. The relay at Jeju starts in 8 hours. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoLtr-dqMnX4yIIARuemrA

Fun fact. In 1988, the beggining of the Seoul games torch relay was precisely at Jeju. Also, much like in 1988, the first torchbearers will be mostly young people of student age, following the theme of "Achievers and Dreamers" this version of the torch relay wants to follow.

 

Posted

Day 3 - Jeju Island

Looks like they did a repeat of Sochi's trick last time with the underwater flame :lol: however with an additional thing. An underwater robot called "Crabster" has carried the flame. This marks the first time the torch is carried by a robot. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/01/tech/innovation/giant-six-legged-robot-crab/index.html

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Torch will arrive to Busan tonight for Day 4.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

The torch has already done its trip through Gimhae and Tongyeong. It visited the Tomb of King Suro, as well for going aboard the Turtle Ship.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
1 hour ago, Ikarus360 said:

Torch arrived to Daejeon some days ago (site of the 1993 Expo). A robot, or should I say, robots, carried the flame :lol: 

 

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Wow, that is so corny.  Having machines run the torch?  ANyting more idiotic that the Koreans can think of??

Posted
2 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Wow, that is so corny.  Having machines run the torch?  ANyting more idiotic that the Koreans can think of??

My bet's on 2,018 machines playing traditional drums to start the Opening Ceremony.

Posted
1 hour ago, Ikarus360 said:

Get used to it, Baron. In 2020 we might as well see the cauldron being lit by either Gundam or Mazinger Z. :P 

Funnily enough, that's exactly why I think PyeongChang will feature robots in a big way.

Just as London 2012's 007/Queen Elizabeth scene prevented Vladimir Putin from trying one of his macho stunts in Sochi 2014, so I think there will be an attempt to forestall any plans to promote Japanese robotics in Tokyo 2020.

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Ikarus360 said:

Get used to it, Baron. In 2020 we might as well see the cauldron being lit by either Gundam or Mazinger Z. :P 

UHmmm . . . not if the IOC AND NBC have anything to say about it.  But I bet they will.  They can't have machines doing the final lighting honors.  

Edited by baron-pierreIV

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