Did anybody else think there was just one Olympic torch?

**Damsella** · 22-05-2012, 08:53am

Or am I the only person who had some ideal of one torch being carried round the whole country?

Apparently there's eight thousand of them!

If you are a torchbearer you can buy it for a few hundred pounds. Some are on eBay already!

**lisnic** · 22-05-2012, 08:56am

I thought that too

**bubbasweet** · 22-05-2012, 08:56am

And the torchbearers had to buy them, or perhaps thats only if tgey wanted to keep it.

**Lilacgirl** · 22-05-2012, 08:57am

I thought that too!

**Damsella** · 22-05-2012, 08:58am

Originally Posted by bubbasweet

And the torchbearers had to buy them, or perhaps thats only if tgey wanted to keep it.

They don't pay to take part in the relay, they only pay if they want to keep "their" torch.

**TopStar** · 22-05-2012, 09:05am

I did until I read about those going on sale on eBay. I think it cost £190 to buy of the runners wants to keep it.

**Cymber** · 22-05-2012, 09:13am

I thought the same. Has it always been this way, or is it a recent money-making scheme?

**bluekat** · 22-05-2012, 09:14am

I thought there was only one too.

**Tekkencat** · 22-05-2012, 09:20am

yep i thought it was just the one (and when i was 'cough cough' younger - i used to think it stayed lit, even on the plane over to the country who was holding the games)

**Clementine** · 22-05-2012, 09:23am

Originally Posted by Tekkencat

yep i thought it was just the one (and when i was 'cough cough' younger - i used to think it stayed lit, even on the plane over to the country who was holding the games)

Yeah, I thought exactly the same. When I was a LOT younger (read last week).

**Damsella** · 22-05-2012, 09:30am

Originally Posted by Cymber

I thought the same. Has it always been this way, or is it a recent money-making scheme?

No, it's not new, apparently there's quite a collector's market in Olympic torches.

**Miss_Jane** · 22-05-2012, 09:33am

Originally Posted by Tekkencat

yep i thought it was just the one (and when i was 'cough cough' younger - i used to think it stayed lit, even on the plane over to the country who was holding the games)

Yes, me too!

**Mrs B** · 22-05-2012, 09:47am

Originally Posted by Tekkencat

yep i thought it was just the one (and when i was 'cough cough' younger - i used to think it stayed lit, even on the plane over to the country who was holding the games)

And me.

The fundraising manager for camilles appeal has seen a few on eBay and is a bit *meh* about it, unless they are selling them for charity. Not because people shouldn't do what they want with them, just because its such an honour to be chosen that it seems strange to part with it. If I had one I'd definitely keep it.

**Jubjub** · 22-05-2012, 09:49am

I thought there was only one, that was passed on like a relay baton.

I didn't realise what a silly faff it is, having to keep the flame burning in those little lamps on the plane over. Seems like a silly superstitious nonsense that causes a great deal of expense. I'd be lighting the torch (only one torch that has to be passed on) with a match if I was head of the Olympic committee, instead of buggering around. Or they could have a Maglite and a battery charger

***Holly*** · 22-05-2012, 10:06am

Yes you can buy them for £200. My OH cousin is carrying one for the money she has raised for brain tumour research after having one herself. There was a little event at her school (I think) where they raised money specifically to buy her the torch so she doesn't have to pay for it herself. Her mum and dad were going to buy it for her anyway but I think it was a lovely touch of her friends as she spends so much time raising money for others.

I think she might be tempted to sell it if she thought she would get a good price, it's all about raising the money for charity for her so that's where it would go!

**Tekkencat** · 22-05-2012, 10:26am

Originally Posted by Jubjub

I thought there was only one, that was passed on like a relay baton.

I didn't realise what a silly faff it is, having to keep the flame burning in those little lamps on the plane over. Seems like a silly superstitious nonsense that causes a great deal of expense. I'd be lighting the torch (only one torch that has to be passed on) with a match if I was head of the Olympic committee, instead of buggering around. Or they could have a Maglite and a battery charger

see i am being totally ignorant here - DO they actually keep the lamps going on the planes?? i mean i know they dont come over on easyjet but surely a lit flame on a flight is a no no ??

One of the torches did go out the other day - so we're doomed i tell yah doomed

**Jubjub** · 22-05-2012, 10:30am

Yes, they have three or four little hurricane lanterns that keep 'the' Olympic flame burning, and a holder on the plane for them.

**January** · 22-05-2012, 10:31am

I thought there was just one as well.

Four million quid for 'em?

Someone must be laughing all the way to the bank

**Damsella** · 22-05-2012, 10:35am

Originally Posted by January

Four million quid for 'em?

Someone must be laughing all the way to the bank

I make it £1,600,00. I imagine they make about half that, if everybody buys theirs. And it must cost a packet just to organise the torch relay.

**bubbasweet** · 22-05-2012, 10:37am

Apparently they were strapped into a special frame on seats 1A and 1B on the flight, with a fire safety officer sat in 1C. Whether all this is true or not is another matter of course, but they looked pretty well contained

It wasn't so very long ago (mid-90s) that you could smoke on planes...