summer olympics torch relay summer olympics torch relay run july prior summer olympics held london united_kingdom relay nicknamed relay peace second occasion torch relay held olympics summer olympics types designed use relay standard solid fuel powered torch aluminium special gas torch onboard hms bay final torch enter empire stadium steel powered route initially designed direct taking italy switzerland france belgium added route countries requested expected greek relay kilometres reduced kilometres concerns security day journey torch arrived empire stadium thirty seconds later expected background despite hosting summer olympics games london based games torch relay introduced summer olympics berlin british athlete 6th exeter rest organising committee games agreed continue tradition begun previous games run torch relay second time relay elements torch contained solid fuel tablet following torch running tests flame solid fuel increased distance runner run miles flat terrain decreasing number needed produced turn reduced cost relay loaded torch pushed use spring design increased burning time torch minutes increase minute olympics torch designed brief inexpensive easy pleasing appearance good example british aluminium long shaft holding cup contained thanks bearer written cup torch olympic rings greek leg relay shipped mediterranean aboard purpose built torch leg aboard royal_navy vessel italy differently designed torch final leg steel fueled order ensure flame showed properly opening ceremony designed frame torch created emi supplied suppliers designer charged fee final torch planned torch route key planned source official report organising committee torch route general negotiation countries specific route handled detailed organisation delegated led cost implications extensive route conducted games ruled instead simplest route london going sea italy run switzerland france route modified belgium requested torch travel territories longer greek route planned reduced expected kilometres kilometres concerns instability country lack security torch lighting ceremony took place july greece summer olympic relay torch relay begun focusing sun rays lit torch conducted leader chosen previous evening unsettled state country girl trained ceremony unable travel symbolic gesture runner corporal laid arms removed military uniform taking torch hand material torch handed gift chairman collins princess elizabeth run boarded greek destroyer hastings bound island stayed overnight city boarded hms bay following day flame switched specially equipped gas torch order ensure hour lifespan available flame despite crossing expected hours ship dropped torch july run north italian cities crossing pass brig switzerland july run west leaving country entering france route direct route belgium entering france july finally departing country carried torch dover arriving july travelled towns arrived arrived thirty seconds late entire journey delay final yards relay olympic way outside empire stadium pressure crowds torch carrier escorts reduced pace walking speed special celebrations held border crossing tomb switzerland agreed secondary olympic flame lit games secondary torch relay conducted flame south coast arrangements dover reverse
1948 Summer Olympics torch relay