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Most Olympic traditions started at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (Original Post) SocialDemocrat61 Feb 6 OP
Cite, please. Thanks. NT mahatmakanejeeves Feb 6 #1
OK SocialDemocrat61 Feb 6 #5
Thanks for adding that. That takes care of the torch relay. The rest? mahatmakanejeeves Feb 6 #6
Are you calling me a liar? SocialDemocrat61 Feb 6 #8
I like the tradition where a talented person of color infuriates a facist leader by decimating his racist theories. jls4561 Feb 6 #2
The torch relay started for Berlin ITAL Feb 6 #3
And the concept of the flame has its roots in the ancient games TheProle Feb 6 #7
sigh justaprogressive Feb 6 #4

jls4561

(3,136 posts)
2. I like the tradition where a talented person of color infuriates a facist leader by decimating his racist theories.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:03 PM
Feb 6

Hope to see that repeated in LA this summer.

ITAL

(1,328 posts)
3. The torch relay started for Berlin
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:03 PM
Feb 6

Not the lighting though. The Olympic cauldron/flame idea began in 1928.

TheProle

(3,983 posts)
7. And the concept of the flame has its roots in the ancient games
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:27 PM
Feb 6
The idea for the Olympic flame was derived from ancient Greek ceremonies where a sacred fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics on the altar of the sanctuary of Hestia.[5][6] In Ancient Greek mythology, fire had divine connotations and it was thought to have been stolen from the gods by Prometheus. Sacred fires were present at many ancient Greek sanctuaries, including those at Olympia. Every four years, when Zeus was honoured at the Olympic Games, additional fires were lit at his temple and that of his wife, Hera. The modern Olympic flame is ignited every two years in front of the ruins of the temple of Hera.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_flame

justaprogressive

(6,925 posts)
4. sigh
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:08 PM
Feb 6

First used at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, the modern torches of the Summer and Winter Olympics are built to resist the effects of wind and rain as they carry the Olympic flame, and bear unique designs that represent the host country and the spirit of the Games.

https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/olympic-torch-relay

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