Paris unveiled a groundbreaking feature of the Summer Games with a remarkable twist on the traditional Olympic flame. During the opening ceremony, the cauldron, designed to rise into the sky attached to a balloon, was lit by former French Olympians Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner. The city’s reputation as the “City of Lights” was perfectly showcased through this innovative display.
Honoring the Montgolfier Brothers
In a nod to the Montgolfier brothers, who pioneered hot air ballooning in Paris in 1783, the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron stands out with its unique design. Mathieu Lehanneur, the designer, has crafted an Olympic cauldron that deviates significantly from traditional designs, making it a focal point of this year’s Games.
The Unique Design
Traditionally, Olympic cauldrons remain stationary and prominently displayed throughout the Games. However, the Paris 2024 cauldron features a dynamic hot air balloon design. During the day, it is stationed in the Tuileries Gardens, but in the evening, it rises 30 meters into the air, with a total height of 60 meters.
The cauldron itself is 30 meters high, with a 7-meter-diameter ring at its base, symbolizing fraternity—the core value of the French Republic. This ring houses the Olympic flame.
How It Works
This year’s Olympic flame is fueled by electricity rather than fossil fuels. The base ring features 40 LED lights that illuminate a cloud of water vapour created by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles, replicating the appearance and flicker of real flames.
Mathieu Lehanneur described the cauldron as “light, magical, and unifying,” intending it to serve as both a beacon at night and a sun during the day. The flame, made of light and water, offers a refreshing, summer-like oasis.
Technical Innovation
Paris 2024 partner EDF supplies the electricity and water, powering the cauldron from the ground. Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF, praised this “electric revolution,” marking the first time an Olympic flame has been entirely electric. This innovation has been achieved through the combined efforts of EDF and Lehanneur’s team.
A New Era or a Glowing Illusion?
While the Paris 2024 cauldron represents a significant technological advancement and a departure from tradition, it raises questions about the essence of the Olympic flame. For over a century, the flame has symbolized a tangible link to ancient Olympic traditions, with its real, burning fire representing purity and the spirit of the Games.
As the Games progress, the question remains: Is this high-tech marvel a fitting evolution of the Olympic flame, or does it risk overshadowing the traditional symbolism of a real, burning flame? The dazzling display certainly captivates, but some may wonder if it truly preserves the essence of the Olympic torch.
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