Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch Relay is a symbol of the spirit of the Olympics. It was originally part of the ancient Olympic games that originated in Greece. The flame itself was re-introduced to the modern games in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 1936 the Olympic Torch Relay was resumed as well during the summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. The relay itself has come under controversy in modern times because of the fact that it was re-introduced by Adolf Hitler who viewed it as a link from his Third Reich to the Greek Empire, which he thought of as an Aryan forerunner.

1. Originated in ancient Greece
2. Re-introduced in 1936 Summer Olympics
3. 2008 schedule to cover 137,000 miles (longest ever)
4. 2008 Relay will include 21,880 runners

• YouTube: Reuters: A sky-high pro-Tibet protest (Time: 0:50)

• The Australian: Dim future for global Olympic torch relay (April 9, 2008)

• Times Online: IOC may scrap Beijing Olympic torch relay over protests (April 8, 2008)

• Guardian Unlimited: Tibet protests threaten future Olympic torch relays (April 8, 2008)

• CBS News: International Torch Relay May Be Scrapped (April 8, 2008)

• China Daily: Clear lines separate politics and Games (April 8, 2008)

• Xinhua: ANOC delegates call for enhanced protection for torch relay (April 8, 2008)

• Google News: Olypic Torch Relay

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