Torches of Inspiration

The minimalistic design of the Tokyo torch
was in keeping with the Olympic architecture
of Kenzo Tange and others. It was made of a
cylindrical tube covered in stainless steel and
filled with gunpowder and smoke. It carries
the inscription, 'XVIII Olympiad Tokyo 1964'
alongside the Olympic rings.

The flame travelled 26,065 km by land, air and
sea and was carried by a record 100,603 runners
before being lit at the Tokyo stadium by a young
student, Yosinori Sakai.