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Facts: 2002 Torch Relay STORY INDEX: Olympic Torch On The Way! Torch Relay History Facts: 2002 Torch Relay Torchbearers (Dec. 2, 2001)------ The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay will travel more than 13,500 miles across the United States in 65 days, carried by 11,500 torchbearers as it travels through 46 states. The Olympic Flame will travel via torchbearers, cars and trucks, airplane, train, ship, dog sled, skier, horse-drawn sleigh, snowmobile, ice skaters, ski jumper and other unique methods. The Olympic Flame travels within a support operation comprised of approximately 50 Chevrolet cars and trucks including public safety, advance operations, torchbearer shuttles, stage production trucks and support equipment. The Olympic Flame will also be transported and protected by a specially-designed Chevrolet Avalanche Torch Transport. Each torchbearer will carry the Olympic Flame approximately 0.2 miles or approximately one lap around a track. The Olympic Flame will travel an average of 208 miles during a 12-hour day. The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay will stop for two major celebrations each day. Local communities will announce details for the local celebrations. In ancient Greece, a sacred truce was called so athletes could peacefully compete at the Olympic Games. Before the Games, runners-- called "heralds of peace"-- traveled Greece proclaiming the beginning of the truce and issuing the clarion call to the Games. The custom was revived in 1936, adding the symbolism of a torch lit in Olympia, Greece by the rays of the sun. Once the Olympic Flame is ignited it is kept in a lantern that travels with the relay. A torch is lit from the flame every morning to start that day's leg of the relay. The Olympic Flame is passed from torch to torch. The lantern is closely guarded to ensure that the flame is never extinguished.

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