The Olympic Torch has a long and distinguished history dating back to the first Olympic Games.
While the traditions disappeared for many years, the flame was reintroduced at the 1928 games in Amsterdam. Carrying the torch in a relay began in 1936 for the Berlin Olympics.
It is a common myth that the same flame has been burning since the first Olympics. This, unfortunately is not true. The fire for a given Olympics is lit before it starts. Organizers also light backup lamps in case a torch goes out.
The idea of the torch being an Olympics icon stems from the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus, who stole the fire of the gods from Zeus to give to mankind.
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