The Torch
The Olympics are coming!
by Brian Radcliffe
Suitable for Key Stage 3
Aims
To explore our understanding of the Olympic torch relay.
Preparation and materials
- None required.
Assembly
- The countdown to the 2024 Summer Olympics is well and truly underway now. On 16 April, the Olympic torch was lit at Mount Olympus in Greece, the site of the ancient Games. The flame was lit using only the power of the sun’s rays, a symbol of total purity. The torch was transported from Greece to France by ship, arriving on 8 May.
Then, the true relay began as the flame has travelled throughout the French nation. During May and early June, it has journeyed through mainland France. From 8 June, the torch will be taken to six French overseas territories, arriving back on the mainland on 17 June. The relay in mainland France will resume, culminating in the torch’s arrival at the Olympic Stadium on Friday 26 July. Then, the Games will truly begin! - The Olympic torch was first kindled at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, but the relay wasn’t initiated until eight years later, at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. Usually, runners transport the flame, but it has been carried by parachutists and ski-jumpers, on horseback and even by a camel. Most of the torchbearers are local people who have done something inspirational in their community; it is only towards the final leg that well-known personalities carry the torch.
- But what is the purpose of the Olympic torch relay?
First, it’s a great way to advertise the approaching Games. In today’s media-savvy world, it’s not really necessary, but in earlier decades, it helped to spread the word. Today, it reminds people to snap up last-minute tickets, buy merchandise, book time off work and enter into the spirit of the Olympics.
Second, the torch is intended to transmit a message of friendship and peace to those it passes en route to the stadium. This aim was in the minds of those who began the tradition too. It is hoped that the torch will unite racially divided nations behind the athletes who will represent them.
Finally, the torch was lit by the pure heat of the sun, making it a symbol of life. When the cauldron in the stadium is ignited, it’s a sign that, for the duration of the Games at least, athletes of the world are united in competition and respect.
Time for reflection
If only it could be like that in reality! Instead, there are many signs of disunity in the lead-up to Paris 2024.
For example, individual Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed by the International Olympic Committee to compete as neutrals as long as they do not support the Ukraine war. However, many countries are dissatisfied with this approach. What sort of reception will those athletes receive as they enter the stadium?
Then, there’s the issue of gender identity, affecting particularly the women’s events. Will there be hormone testing before competing?
There’s also the inevitable drugs issue: masking consumption of illegal substances has become more and more sophisticated. Are all athletes equal?
Finally, there are bound to be disagreements about decisions by sports officials. Is there room for unity, equality and respect when all these pressures are brought to bear?
In the Olympics, winning is the main ambition of those who participate. It’s naïve to say that it’s primarily about the taking part. If you don’t want to win, there’s little point in competing. So, how is it possible to balance the motivation to win with respect for your rivals?
This is a good question for life too. We’re all in competition in many aspects of our lives, not just sport. We can compete for roles in school, rankings in subject tests, popularity in relationships and many other situations. It’s not the Olympics, but the principles are not that different. Here are some suggestions for how we can strike the right balance.
- Know our rivals. What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can we match these?
- Avoid overestimating ourselves. None of us is likely to achieve Olympic glory, but there are other victories to aim for: class or set, school, county, even national. A victory is a victory.
- Treat our rivals as individuals. We should never typecast our rivals as members of a group. Each one is a unique person who has emotions, needs and aspirations, just like us.
- Stay within the rules. Some rules are written down; others are assumed. A professional foul is never to be admired. A victory gained by cheating is no victory at all. We won’t look back on these actions with pleasure.
- Accept defeat with grace. We may not feel like it immediately, but offering some congratulations will make us feel better later.
Let’s go out like the winners all of us can be.
Song/music
‘We are the champions’ by Queen, available at: https://youtu.be/04854XqcfCY (3.10 minutes long)
Extension activity
Jesus said, ‘The last shall be first and the first shall be last.’ (Matthew 20.16)
Ask the students what they think Jesus meant by this.
Pause to allow time for discussion in groups.
Ask the students how these words might affect our attitudes to competition in life.
Pause to allow time for discussion in groups.
