I have been part of Rio 2016 for almost four years, but even so sometimes I get the feeling that it hasn’t quite “hit home” that I am part of the biggest sporting event on the planet. Maybe this leaves me calmer on a daily basis. After all, everything that we do here will go down in history. It is as if we were at the end of a big championship every day. For me, it is necessary to be calm and focused.

A little over a year ago the torch project landed on the table. Helping to organise the process for the creation of the design of one of the most emblematic icons of the Games. Research, research, research… Building the competition, notice, criteria, back to the research, pick up the story, what we are going to represent of our culture, of Rio, and of Brazil? The people, the concept of the relays, research, research… Briefing ready! 

(Briefing Event. Photo: Rio 2016)

Seventy-six signed up, but we only presented the briefing for 10 “semi-finalists” companies that had passed phase three of the process. Assessment, meetings, perfection here, a rethink there. A judging panel and design chosen unanimously.

  
(Briefing presentation. Photo: Rio 2016)                                                                                           

We are going to development: conferences, encryptions, passwords and more passwords, cylinders, axis, opening system, mock ups….


(Photo: Rio 2016)

“It’s going to be launched tomorrow.” Already???

Printed in the newspapers, on the television news, published on websites, commented on social media with a hell of a positive response. I feel that there is a very good energy surrounding all of this. It’s contagious. I think that this was the main thread since the start. From the first word put down on paper, passing through conversations between the team, from contributions across all areas, from the essence and values of Rio 2016 captured with insight and creativity by the team at Chelles & Hayashi that transformed all of this so that we may have one of the best and most beautiful torches of all time!

(Photo: Rio 2016)

 
(Last adjustment in the torch’s support before the launch. Photo: Rio 2016)

It’s difficult to put in just a few lines a world of stories and appreciation. And the most challenging part of all this is that it’s only the beginning. There will be even more conferences, designs, prototypes… More work to produce and deliver the pieces that will be the support for the legendary flame and for the Rio 2016 Games Torch Relay, which will also rise and reveal many more incredible stories. 

(Photo Rio 2016)