KIWIPULSE // ROCK YOUR WORLD

Lenovo: Olympic Torch 2008

February 5, 2008 – 12:30 pm | Written by KiwiPulse

   

If you haven’t notice yet the 2008 Summer Olympics will take place this summer in Beijing, China. The game officially known as the Games of the XXIX (29th) Olympiad will be celebrated from August 8 to 24. The traditional Olympic Torch Relay will begin from March 25 to August 8, 2008. The theme for the relay is “Journey of Harmony” and will last 130 days which the torch will travel 137,000 km. It will be the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay. They will also try an attempt to carry the flame to the top of Mount Everest. From Beijing, the torch will follow a route passing through six continents but most of it will be by air.

The torch for Beijing 2008 Olympic is designed by a team from Lenovo Group. Believe it or not Lenovo is the fourth largest personal computer manufacturer in the world. The Olympic Torch is based on traditional scrolls and uses a traditional Chinese design known as “Lucky Cloud“. The Torch is designed in reference to the traditional Chinese concept of the 5 elements that make up the entire universe. The 5 elements include: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth.

The Key Facts about the Torch
“The torch is 72 centimetres high, weighs 985 grams and is made of aluminium. The torch is of a curved surface form, with etching and anodizing being used during its production. A torch can usually keep burning for approximately 15 minutes in conditions where the flame is 25 to 30 centimetres high in a windless environment. The torch has been produced to withstand winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and to stay alight in rain up to 50mm an hour. The flame can be identified and photographed in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness. The fuel is propane which is in accordance with environmental guidelines. The material of its form is recyclable.”

The Artistic and Technical Features of the Torch
“The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games has a very strong Chinese flavour. It demonstrates the artistic and technical level of China. It also conveys the message of a Green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People’s Olympics. The shape of the paper scroll and the lucky clouds graphic, expresses the idea of harmony. Its stable burning technique and adaptability to the environment have reached a new technical level. The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games is designed, researched and produced in China. BOCOG owns all intellectual property rights.”

The Fuel for the Torch
“Under the concept of a Green Olympics, environmental protection was a key element listed in the invitation documents to the design companies, by BOCOG. The fuel of the torch is propane, which is a common fuel which also comes with a low price. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen. No material, except carbon dioxide and water remain after the burning, eliminating any risk of pollution.”

The Burning System
“The burning system of the torch is designed by China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation. Its stable burning technique and adaptability to the environment have reached a new technical level. It can stay alight in severe weather conditions such as strong wind, rain, snow, hail, etc. The flame can also be identified in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness so as to satisfy the requirements of capturing photographic images and video footage.”