Why the Torch Flame Can Never Go Out
Posted by jenny3 on April 27th, 2008
The Olympic torch was temporarily extinguished in Buenos Airs. Before that, the torch was also extinguished twice in Paris. Although this time the torch was not went out because of disturbance, but because of the crowds warmly welcoming it on the streets, many foreign media reports questioned the continuity of the Olympic flame, and even highlighted on the alleged “extinguishment” of the Olympic flame. However, in author’s opinion, the flame can never go out. According to the Olympic Torch Relay technical manual backup flames operate “at all times and may be used periodically to relight torches that fail for technical or other reasons”. The flame is not the torch. The torch can go out, but the flame which was lit in Olympia can never be extinguished. The Olympic flame is carried by different devices: the safety lantern, the torch and the cauldron. Only when three occasions happen, the flame may goes out. So the Beijing Olympics torch will sure to be lit by the pure flame lit in Greece.
I don’t know why so many countries and media like to tear down the Beijing Olympics or even China. The Olympics is a sign of peace. In the ancient, no matter what wars happened, when the Olympics was held, the wars must stop. But today, the situation seems to be changed. Many countries excused to boycott the Olympics. Some even want to rise up war because of the Tibetan problem, which absolutely against the Olympic spirit. I wonder that whether these kinds of countries or persons have the right to talk about the things happen in other country, or even have the right to take part in the Olympics.