Unused official 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics torch, constructed of a resin-coated carbon fiber composite, measuring 33" in length and 4" at its widest point. Manufactured by Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company and designed by Li Jianye and his team, the torch was inspired by the natural flowing beauty of plants and flowers, a theme that meshed with Beijing’s green approach to the torch’s materials and combustion fuel—carbon fiber composite, a new material made of petroleum products, and hydrogen gas, a special fuel that proved both smoke-free and environmental-friendly. The flora-like spiral construction resulted in a floating ribbon look, and its beautiful replication of movement led to its being given the name ‘Flying’ [Fei Yang]. The torch utilizes an open design with a stunning red and silver color scheme, a metaphor for ice and fire, meant to symbolize how the torch will bring 'light and warmth to this world of ice and snow’—this color combination, and even the torch’s design, relates to its 2008 predecessor and ceremonial cauldron. ‘Flying’ is exceptionally light yet durable, having been created with high-tech 3D knitting technology to form a body seven to nine times harder than steel. The upper portion of the body bears the Beijing 2022 emblem, the lower portion features 1,268 laser-engraved convex clouds and low-relief snowflakes patterns, and the torch’s centralized swirling red line represents the winding Great Wall, the Olympic ski slopes, and ‘humanity's relentless quest for light, peace, and excellence.’ Includes the original presentation box, which is slightly worn on the edges.
The flame for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was lit at the site of the Ancient Olympia in Greece on October 18, 2021, and was passed to the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee the following day before it departed for the Chinese mainland. Due to the COVID pandemic and the measures put in place to meet the prevention and control requirements, it was decided to reduce the length and duration of the traditional relay route, as well as the number of relay runners, which topped off at around 1,200. Shortened to only three days, the Olympic torch relay resumed on February 2nd, when it began its journey through the three Olympics zones, the city of Zhangjiakou and the main sights of Beijing, which became the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The relay concluded on the 4th in Beijing National Stadium at the end of the opening ceremony. A fusion of artistry and high technology, this stunningly beautiful Olympic torch evokes Beijing’s ambitious plan for a safe and sustainable Winter Olympiad.
