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One of the most
important historical symbols of the Olympic framework, the
role of the Cauldron is to protect and display the Olympic
Flame during the Olympic Games. Since 1928 (the year when it
was formally introduced), it has marked the beginning and
the end of the Olympic celebrations and, in a perfect
balance of symbol, design and function, it also allows the
Host Country to express the culture, the spirit and the
history of an entire nation.
The Cauldron
will be run on methane gas supplied by Italgas, sponsor for
the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in the role of
Official Supplier. The President of Italgas
Alberto Meomartini
participated at the presentation. The Torino 2006 Cauldron
was designed by Pininfarina, who also ideated and engineered
the Olympic Torch. The creative process was guided by the
desire to represent in a single object the tension of the
Olympic Challenge: five support columns will rise upwards
with power and dignity, representing the values of the
Olympic Spirit. In its rise towards the sky, the tension of
sports will generate a twist of pure energy that will be
transformed immediately into the Flame.
With its height
of 57 metres (like a building of 20 storeys), the Cauldron
of Torino 2006 will certainly earn the record as the tallest
in the history of the Olympic Games. The overall structure
features three "conci" - segments, rising respectively 31
metres, 15 metres and 11 meters. (the twisting part). The
height of the Olympic Stadium is about 26 metres; therefore
Torino's Cauldron will be visible from the entire city
already at the top of the first segment, which will end 5
metres higher than the Stadium. The Cauldron will stand on
five tubular structures with a diameter of 60 cm that will
rise in a circumference having a 3 metre diameter. A sixth
central tube will start from the base and arrive at the
summit widening in the last 3 metres to give space to the
burners needed to produce the flame, which will burn
brightly to a height of four metres. The five outside tubes
will twist in the final part and will be crossed by the
central one.
The Cauldron
will be positioned on the north-south axis of the Olympic
Stadium, about 16 metres from the outside perimeter of the
terraces. This position was decided after careful visibility
studies conducted by TOROC in collaboration with K2006/FilmMaster,
the company in charge of the production of the Olympic
Ceremonies of Torino 2006. With an ignition mechanism that
will be kept secret until the last moment, the Cauldron of
Torino 2006 will come to life next February 10th during the
Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, and it will keep the
Flame blazing until February 26th, when the Closing Ceremony
will bring the XX Olympic Games of Torino 2006 to an end. |
