Elegant official 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics torch, constructed of silvered metal, copper, and glass, measuring 32.5″ in length and 3.5″ at its widest point, designed by Axiom Design and manufactured by Coleman. The torch was modeled after an icicle and slightly curved to represent speed and fluidity, with a contrasting dull and polished finish on the handle to represent the meeting of modernity with the past. The handle, which bears an affixed "050" label, is engraved with the motto of the games, "Light the fire within," and a raised emblem of the games appears near the top. The torch bears some light scattered scuffs from use. The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, on November 19, 2001, and began the American leg of its journey on December 4 in Atlanta. The route passed through the past host cities in the United States—Atlanta, Lake Placid, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Squaw Valley—over a 21,725 km route.
This particular torch was used by Air Force veteran and former U.S. Forest Service worker Dave Rittersbacher of Council, Idaho, on January 25, 2002, and is accompanied by several uncommon torchbearer items, including:
An impressive wooden torch holder display, 14.5″ x 29.5″, which features: a large color photo of Rittersbacher running with the torch; a nameplate; five Coca-Cola pins making the shape of Idado; and a lower plaque that shows a map of the torch’s route across the United States.
The official torchbearer relay suit from the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, which consists of an extra-large long-sleeve cotton shirt, an extra-large polyester windbreaker jacket, an extra-large pair of polyester windbreaker pants, and white polyester winter gloves with a matching hat; each article of clothing features either the “Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay” emblem or silver Olympics rings. In overall fine, used condition.
