Helsinki 1952

Olympic Games Helsinki 1952 Official Torch

Sterling silver upper bell with lacquered, curly birch wood handle. "XV Olympia Helsinki 1952" and "Helsinki Helsingfors" with Olympic rings and wreath engraved on the bell. Silver cap at end of handle. 23.6 inches high.

Designer: Aukusti Tuhka
Manufacturer: Kultakeskus Oy

Flame: Liquid gas fuel cartridges. Combustion duration approximately 21 minutes.

The Helsinki 1952 torch relay was the first time the Olympic flame was transported by airplane. The Olympic flame was preserved in a safety lamp during the flight from Athens to Aalborg.

Start date: June 25, 1952, Olympia, Greece
End date: July 19, 1952, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland
First torchbearer: Christos Panagopoulos
Last torchbearer: Hannes Kolehmainen
Number of torchbearers: 3,372
Relay length: 4890.2 miles