Torchbearer uniforms, the torch and the lantern

(BEIJING, January 16) -- The image and look of the Beijing Olympic torch relay was released at the Beijing Olympic Media Center on Wednesday.

Based on the torch, theme slogan, core graphics and colors of the torch relay, the look of the relay was created with the elements of a phoenix pattern and lucky clouds, in conformity with the image and look system of the Beijing Olympic Games. The design has a unique visual effect, notably different from past Olympic Games. Rich with the characteristics of the times, it reflects traditional Chinese culture to the fullest.

(Special report: The Image and Look for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay)

The design of the image and look of the torch relay includes five components, namely the design of the torch and collaterals; the torch relay uniforms; the convoy and chartered aircraft; the backdrop; and the city look.

The torch and collaterals include the torch; lantern; cauldron and torch stand. Among these, the torch was officially launched on April 26, 2007.

The inspiration for the original design of the torch relay lantern comes from the traditional lanterns used inside ancient Chinese palaces. The silver luster of the lantern coupled with crystal-clear glass serves as a foil to the flame and communicates the Olympic flame's sanctity and purity.

The torch stand's design borrows from the architectural styles of the Han and Tang dynasties, with its base showcasing "lucky clouds" drifting away, as if gently calling out to the torch.

The Beijing Olympic cauldron is based on the concept of a "round heaven and square earth" and uses a typical cauldron in the Chinese Bronze Age as well as the "lucky clouds" as its creative elements.

The 56 "lucky clouds" hollowed out of the curved plate of the Olympic cauldron symbolize well wishes to the world from the 56 ethnic groups in China. The base of the cauldron has four legs with eight faces, symbolizing that the Beijing Olympic Games welcomes friends from all directions across the world. The Olympic cauldron stands 130 centimeters high, symbolizing the 130-day duration of the torch relay. The cauldron plate is 29 centimeters deep, symbolizing the 29th Olympiad. The cauldron post is 112 meters tall, symbolizing the 112 years that have passed between the staging of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the 2008 Olympic Games.

The look of the convoy for the torch relay takes red and yellow as its basic colors, echoing the colors of the sacred flame and the torch, creating an exciting and dynamic visual effect and making the convoy a true mobile carrier of the Olympic spirit and the concepts of the Beijing Olympics. The convoy consists of 13 automobiles and six motorcycles. Except for the police car and the ambulance, every other type of vehicle has a unique look but shares integral components with the rest of the convoy. According to an agreement between BOCOG and the torch relay partners, some composite signs of the torch relay are added to appropriate positions on certain vehicles.

The design of the chartered aircraft highlight the message of the Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay and the slogan of "Light the Passion Share the Dream," while taking into full consideration the needs of the news coverage and the effects of the TV broadcast upon its landing.

The uniforms for the Beijing Olympic torch relay include those for torchbearers, escort runners and staff members. As required by the IOC, white should be the basic color of the torchbearers' uniforms. Both long and short styles are available to suit the summer and autumn weather conditions and feature simplicity, sanctity and a sense of etiquette. The basic elements of the escort runners' uniforms are similar to those of the torchbearers and they are also designed to suit the weather conditions, but their basic color is blue. Keeping in conformity with the uniforms of the torchbearers and escort runners, the staff uniform is practically designed to suit the staff members' needs along the relay routes.

Blue and red dominate the backdrops for the Beijing Olympic torch relay, which adapt to the characteristics of different scenes, with the aim of transmitting the excitement of the torch relay.

The city look includes banners, large building decorations, bridge decorations and outdoor advertising. Provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, and the cities located outside China's mainland will retain the option of the look they prefer in conformity with the "Technical Manual of the Image and Look for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay" and real-world expectations.

The BOCOG Olympic Torch Relay Center started working on the Olympic torch relay image and look in August 2007. The China Central Academy of Fine Arts is responsible for the design of the basic elements of the image and look. Lenovo (Beijing) Limited has taken the lead in designing the torch and collateral materials, and the Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology was charged with designing the uniforms.

To meet the aesthetic and technical requirements of the Olympic torch relay operation and broadcast, the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Center consulted renowned specialists from China and around the world, including experts in the arts, public relations, Olympic experts, broadcasters and sponsors, as well as image and look design specialists from BOCOG. The final design was approved by the IOC.