From left Paris 2024 Olympics President Tony Estanguet and French designer Mathieu Lehanneur with the Paris Olympic Torch.

From left Paris 2024 Olympics chief Tony Estanguet and French designer Mathieu Lehanneur with the Paris Olympic Torch.

Design– The design of the Paris Olympic Torch “plays on perfect symmetry, speaking to us more clearly about equality.” Explained French designer Mathieu Lehanneur. The torch is perfectly symmetrical, vertically and horizontally, to reflect the equal commitment and ambition to organising the Paralympics Games as the Olympic Games. From here, and for the first time, they both share a single and unique design.

“I wanted it to be extremely pure, iconic, almost elemental. As simple as a hyphen and as fluid as a flame.” Continues the designer. Gentle curves and a rounded silhouette evoke peacefulness. The champagne-hued torch features a matte finish on the top half and a shiny, reflective finish on the bottom. At its centre, a rippled texture is a tribute to the River Seine. Rippling water surfaces have been a recurring theme of the designer’s work and design research.

Paris Olympic Torch design by Mathieu Lehanneur - Photo by Felipe Ribon.

Photo by Felipe Ribon.

Manufactured by ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel company and a Paris 2024 Official Partner, the 70-centimetre-tall Torch was created with ergonomics in mind. “It was important that this object would be an accessory to the beauty of the flame, so we have designed it with the flame in mind.” Lehanneur worked on an easy-to-handle design using only 100% recycled stainless steel, which allowed it to weigh only 1.5 Kg. A slit on the side lets the flames out sideways for all-weather conditions.

Matieu Lehanneur working on the design of the Olympic Torch of Paris 2024 Olimpic and Paralympic Games - Photo by Felipe Ribon.

Matieu Lehanneur working on the design of the Olympic Torch – Photo by Felipe Ribon.

The Paris Olympic Torch was lit at the Temple of Hera at Olympia, Greece, a nod to the Ancient Olympic Games. It then travelled through the Mediterranean Sea to Marseilles, France, to continue its relay before making its way to the Olympic stadium in Paris. The Paralympic Torch’s journey began in Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain, where the Paralympic movement originated.

Paris Olympic Torch design by Mathieu Lehanneur - Photo by Felipe Ribon.

Photo by Felipe Ribon.

All photos: Courtesy of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Detail of Paris Paralympic Torch design by Mathieu Lehanneur - Photo by Felipe Ribon.

Detail of Paris Paralympic Torch.