Light Up Your Passion for Singapore 2010

Posted by ser under Exhibitions, Hobbies and Toys, Museums/Heritage Galleries, Reflections
(0) Comment • (2968) Reads • Permalink

I am excited! In less than 30 days’ time, the Youth Olympic Flame would have completed its journey through five continents and made its way to Singapore. The torch relay is indeed one of the most anticipated events in the lead-up to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

But that’s not all! The icing on the cake is the arrival of a collection of 16 original Olympic Games Torches on loan from The Olympic Museum. Today, I had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of the Singapore 2010 YOG torch at the Singapore Philatelic Museum.

From left: Tresnawati Prihadi, General Manager of the Singapore Philatelic Museum, Goh Kee Nguan, SYOGOC’s Chief Executive Officer and Associate professor Mr. C. Kunalan at the YOG torch unveiling ceremony

Designed to combine the dual elements of fire and water, the Singapore 2010 YOG torch takes its design inspiration from fire and water. Fire represents the youth’s passion and desire to learn and excel, whilst water represents Singapore’s vibrancy and dynamism as an island-city state

Can you spot the Singapore 2010 YOG torch among its older counterparts? Left-Right: London 1948, Singapore 2010 YOG, Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, Mexico 1968, Montreal 1976

Left-Right: Athens 2004, Sydney 2000, Atlanta 1996, Seoul 1988, Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992

Mr. C. Kunalan in an interview with Channel NewsAsia. This sprint legend shares about the significance of the Tokyo 1964 Olympics’ torch (in his right hand) and the Mexico 1968 Olympics’ torch (in his left hand), which he took part in. Clocking a time of 10.38 seconds at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, he had set a national record that spanned for 33 years!

Mr. C. Kunalan holding up the Singapore 2010 YOG torch

Mr. Goh, CEO of SYOGOC holding up the Atlanta 1996 Olympics’ torch. It is recorded as the longest Olympic torch, with a length of 88.5cm

Stamps commemorating the inaugural YOG on display at the Singapore Philatelic Museum

I’ve chosen my Top 3 favourite Torches:

Barcelona 1992 - Carrying the words ‘XXV Olimpiada Barcelona 1992’

Sydney 2000 - Inspiration drawn from the architecture of the Sydney Opera House, the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the subtle curve of the boomerang. I personally like the blue and white colour combination as it gives the torch a smooth and sleek look

Beijing 2008- Torch is shaped like a traditional Chinese paper scroll with the lucky cloud graphic that expresses the idea of harmony

Some interesting facts obtained from the Singapore 2010 website:

Only one Olympic Flame and Olympic Torch Relay can be in operation at any time; and the Flame cannot be split and conveyed by more than one torch relay
The Olympic Flame cannot be ‘left behind’ at a particular location; for example, by lighting a local cauldron that remains lit after the torch relay has progressed to another location
The Olympic Flame cannot be used to light any other flame for any reason
The Olympic Flame once lit in Olympia, Greece must remain lit throughout until the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony

Want to take a closer look at these Torches from the 16 Olympic Games (1936-2008)? They will be on display at two exhibitions in August, so don’t miss it! You can get to pick your favourite Torch too