Περιγραφή
Official Olympic torch of the Tokyo 2020 Games, designed by renowned Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka and inspired by the form of the cherry blossom (sakura), a powerful symbol of renewal in Japanese culture.
Crafted in aluminium with a refined ‘sakura’ rose-gold finish, the torch features a distinctive fluted design culminating in five petal-shaped columns at the crown. The body is engraved with the official “Tokyo 2020” emblem alongside the Olympic rings. Measuring approximately 71 cm (28 inches) in length, it represents a striking fusion of contemporary design and Olympic tradition. The torch is accompanied and presented in a custom-made plexiglass display cylinder (Plexiglas cylinder height: 83 cm).
Historical Background
The Olympic flame was lit in a traditional ceremony in Ancient Olympia on March 12, 2020. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the relay in Greece was suspended shortly thereafter, with the official handover ceremony taking place at the Panathenaic Stadium on March 19, 2020.
The flame was then transported to Japan, where it remained lit for an entire year, symbolizing perseverance and hope, until the relay resumed in March 2021 ahead of the Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021.
This torch is directly associated with this unprecedented moment in Olympic history and embodies the concept of the “Flame of Recovery”.
Condition
- Unused (unlit)
- Preserved in excellent condition
- No signs of use or wear
Significance
An exceptional example of modern Olympic design, this torch stands out not only for its aesthetic refinement but also for its powerful historical context. Unused examples are particularly desirable, representing objects that were never part of the relay itself due to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic.