Follow that torch

Log this under “Cool Things to Do in your Lifetime”: carry the Olympic torch.

Three average world-citizens (though soon with at least one claim to fame) have just been chosen to carry the torch during a portion of its route around the globe, as a part of a competition by Lenovo looking for “new thinkers.” They are a teacher from Argentina, a musician from Brazil, and a financial advisor from Canada.

Other torchbearers are slowly being announced, among the 21,000 planned to be selected for this longest Olympics torch relay in history–though the honor is mostly reserved for Chinese representatives and Olympic sponsors. Earlier this week, the Olympic committee announced the Kiwi representative, a 24-year-old Ironman competitor who overcame a debilitating lung disease.

Apparently, I’ve been unaware of the newsworthy string of events already linked to the torch. The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee recently took Taipei off the relay route for political reasons. And the highest point on the torch’s route is also the highest point possible–the summit of Mount Everest. Tests have just been completed to ensure that the torch and torchbearers can overcome the obstacles:

“The torch must reach the 8,844.43m-peak on time; it must kindle under very low temperatures, low pressure and oxygen-deficient conditions; further, a satisfactory live TV coverage must be done to allow audiences across the world to watch the event.”

The Olympic flame will be lit according to tradition on March 25 in Greece, tour Greece for five days, then head to Beijing for additional pomp and circumstance before starting its official global relay, covering 137,000 kilometers (85,128 miles) in 130 days.

You might see the torch coming through your area next spring. Its one stop in the US happens to be in my area, San Francisco, arriving April 9th (“conveniently” en route from Paris to Buenos Aires).

And, of course, if you want to follow the flame back to Beijing to attend the Games–only 268 days until the Opening Ceremony in August 2008–you can contct your national ticket sales agent to request tickets, now being sold via a lottery system.