-->

• The 2010 Olympic Torch design was revealed on February 12, 2009 during an Olympic press conference in Whistler, Canada. Though the design was "inspired by Canada's open landscape, vast potential and smooth fluid lines left in the snow from winter sports", the torch design has been compared to a marijuana cigarette and has been jokingly referred to as the Olympic Toke by the media.Guardian: No Worries About a 2010 "Olympic Toke" (May 20, 2009)

  The XXI Winter Olympic Games will be held in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010.Olympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Measures 94.5 centimeters and weighs approximately 1.6 kilogramsOlympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)
  2. The white torch features has a red Maple leaf cut-out, an inukshuk, the emblem of Vancouver 2010, as well as an engraving of the Games motto "With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits"Olympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)
  3. October 22, 2009: 2010 Olympic Flame will be lit in Athens, Greece and then handed over to a representative of CanadaOfficial Site: Torch Relays
  4. First two torchbearers were selected through public contestsOlympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)
  5. Patricia Moreno, 17, and Caleb Taylor, 35 we be the first two torchbearersOlympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)
  6. Torch relay will begin in October 2009 and will end with lighting of the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver in February 2010Guardian: No Worries About a 2010 "Olympic Toke" (May 20, 2009)
  7. Will travel 27,275-miles throughout Canada over 106 daysGuardian: No Worries About a 2010 "Olympic Toke" (May 20, 2009)
  8. Uniforms for the Olympic Torch Relay were designed by two Canadian fashion designers, Vivienne Lu and Tu LyOlympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)
  9. The uniforms are white and accented with bright blue and green accents on the left arm of the jacketOlympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)
  10. The uniforms also feature the traditional Olympic rings design on the back and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay emblemOlympic.org: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Design Unveiled (February 12, 2009)

• Controversy

  The design for the 2010 Olympic Torch has been dubbed "The Olympic Toke" by the media. Based on the "fluid lines left in the snow from winter sports", the torch appears to have a crimp at each end and combined with a twist in the body of the torch, it resembles a hand-rolled marijuana joint. Since Vancouver is known as major production area for illegal marijuana, comparisons have been taken in stride by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC). Dave Cobb, the executive vice-president of the VANOC commented on the media nickname, "We're not worried about it at all."Guardian: No Worries About a 2010 "Olympic Toke" (May 20, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Vancouver | Olympics | Winter Olympics | 2010 Winter Olympics | Olympic Torch | Olympic Torch Relay | Softball | 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremony | 2010 Olympics Closing Ceremony

  
  

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page