The Olympic Torch: Insights from French Designer Mathieu Lehanneur

As the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, the spotlight extends beyond the athletes to the designers and artists shaping the event’s identity. One such visionary is Mathieu Lehanneur, the creative mind behind the iconic Olympic torch. RFI spoke with Lehanneur to uncover the thought processes and inspirations behind this symbol of the Games.

Lehanneur emphasized the extensive evolution of the torch design: “Between the first concept and the final product, there were numerous adjustments,” he revealed.

Drawing from the central themes of Paris 2024—Equality, Water, and Peacefulness—Lehanneur infused the torch with profound symbolism. The base of the torch features a wavy pattern, reflecting the ripples and light reflections on water’s surface, embodying the theme of Water.

Each torch is meticulously crafted, weighing 1.5 kg and standing 70 cm tall with a diameter of 3.5 cm. To align with environmental sustainability goals, only 2,000 torches were produced for the Games: 1,500 for the Olympics and 500 for the Paralympics. Each torch will be used around ten times during the ceremonial relay across France and its overseas territories.

The journey of the Olympic flame began with its traditional lighting in Olympia, Greece, using the sun’s rays. It arrived in France on May 8, after crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and was carried by a diverse group of torchbearers, including both renowned athletes and everyday citizens.

The relay culminated in a memorable moment on July 26, when French champions Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner carried the torch during the opening ceremony, igniting the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens.

The Paralympic torch relay will commence with a new flame, traveling through Stoke Mandeville—a location with historical significance to the Paralympic Games. The torchbearers will light the Paralympic cauldron during the opening ceremony on August 28, 2024.

Lehanneur’s design for the torch captures the spirit of the Paris 2024 Games, blending tradition with innovation and emphasizing a commitment to both environmental sustainability and symbolic representation.

Note: This report is adapted from the 100% Création podcast in French produced by RFI’s Maria Afonso.