Munich 1972

Olympic Games Munich 1972 Official Torch

Nickel-plated, steel torch with six small holes near the top to allow for combustion. Atop the flange is a spiral design of shiny and brushed metal stripes representing the sun, the moon and the stars. On the handle, "Spiele der XX Olympiade München." On a platform at the base of the combustion tube is the emblem of the Games with "Krupp" and the trademark interlocking three circle design. 29.5 inches high.

Designer: Hagri Kettwig
Manufacturer: Freidrich Krupp AG

Fuel: An aluminium cartridge containing a liquid gas combination of 24% propane and 76% butane. Combustion duration 15-22 minutes. First time liquid gas used in an Olympic torch.

The Krupp company also produced the torch for the Berlin 1936 Games.

In order for the flame to travel the distance from Munich to Kiel in exactly 49 hours, all of the Munich torchbearers were requested, whether they were on foot, on a bike, on horseback, motorcycle or in a rowing boat, to go at their maximum speed and to continue the relay both day and night.

Start: July 28, 1972, Olympia, Greece
End: August 26, 1972, Olympic Stadium,
Munchen, Federal Republic of Germany.
First torchbearer: Yiannis Kirkilessis
Last torchbearer: Gunther Zahn
Number of torchbearers: approximately 6,200
Relay Length: 3,437.4 miles