The Torch is a symbolic object of the Olympic Games. By bringing the Olympic Flame and the Paralympic Flame, the spirit of the Games arrives in the host country. In what material will the Paris 2024 torch be made? Who manufactures the 2000 units? What industrial processes are chosen? We have created this infographic to provide you with answers to these questions.
The Olympic Flame will be lit on April 16th in Olympia, Greece using the sun’s rays. It will arrive in France, in Marseille, on May 8, 2024, after crossing the Mediterranean Sea. 11,000 torchbearers will relay the 2000 units across France, to arrive near Paris (Seine-Saint-Denis) on July 26. One of them will then be used to light the cauldron during the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony.
The 2000 torches are currently being manufactured in France. Here are some key figures and an infographic.
1/ Designed by a French Designer
The French designer Mathieu Lehanneur conceived the design of the torch. It combines technical performance and ecological sobriety. It is made of recycled steel and is also reusable, cleanable, and rechargeable.
2/ 100% Made in France
French steelmaker ArcelorMittal is responsible for manufacturing the 2000 units using 100% recycled steel, made in France. Other industrial partners of the group will play their roles. Guy Degrenne will shape the torches and give them their wavy appearance. A subcontractor of ArcelorMittal will apply a special coating that will give the Torches this “champagne” color. We contacted ArcelorMittal but they did not give us the name of this industrial partner.
3/ Only 2000 Units
The specifications for the torch of this French edition of the Olympics were very strict, with a strong emphasis on sobriety and ecology. Thus, only 2,000 copies of this torch will be produced, while 11,000 Olympic torchbearers are expected.
4/ 100% Made of Recycled Steel
The choice was also made to use recycled steel to manufacture the torches. Steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal used recovered and melted scrap steel from household appliances and cars. These wastes were then melted at 1,650°C using electric arc furnaces.
5/ Aesthetic Finishing
The Torch is made of 0.7 mm thick steel that is polished on the lower part. It is micro-blasted on the upper part. This PVD coating (Physical Vapor Deposition) allows the aesthetic finishing. The upper part features a small opening to check that the fire is still lit.
