OLYMPIC TORCH GOES OUT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 258, 28 July 1936, Page 9

OLYMPIC TORCH GOES OUT

Relit With Match Belgrade, July 26. The Olympic torch, which was supposed to be carried unquenched from Athens to Berlin, suffered the ignominy of extinction a few miles inside the Yugoslavian border, whence it was being borne from Bulgaria. The torches are calculated to burn for five minutes, enabling the runner to hand on the flame. When the bearer saw the torch flickering he placed it in the accompanying ear. which speeded up to reach the awaiting runner, but the light went out before it could be handed over, necessitating relighting with a prosaic match. The sacred Olympic flame was originally kindled by the sun. A cable received from Athens stated that something of the spirit of the golden age of Greek culture was recaptured at dawn on July 20, when concentrated eun’s rays ignited at Olympia the torch which is to be borne by relays across Europe to Berlin, signalising the opening of the Olympic Games. It was stated in the same message that as each torch burns 10 minutes and that as the flame must not be allowed to die, a car laden with spare torches and runners would accompany each relay runner. After traversing six countries the Olympic flame will reach the Berlin stadium for the official opening of the games on August 1.