Olympic Torch Lighting Wasn’t a Greek Idea

Athens hosted the first modern international Olympic Games in 1896, which was appropriate given that they had previously been held there for more than a thousand years. We just presume that some elements of the Olympic Games have been there for a long time. We have always assumed that the lighting of the Olympic torch is an old custom given the lengthy history of the games. Not at all.

The first Olympic torch relay took place in Berlin in 1936, according to history. Plutarch's writings and ancient Greek artwork served as Dr. Carl Diem's inspiration for the Olympic torch, which has now become a tradition. Just three years before the Second World War started, Nazi Germany came up with the idea and funded it.

There were no Olympic Games conducted during World War II. The Olympic torch returned when competitions resumed in 1948, but this time it carried a different message: one of peace. It was traversed from ancient Olympia to London through a shattered Europe. The first torchbearer took the burning staff on the first leg of its trip while laying down his arms, taking off his army uniform, and starting the relay.