Flying Cauldron in 2024 Olympics: What's so special about it?

The Olympic Games in Paris commenced on July 26, and since then, the famous cauldron has been incessently alight during the day. Interestingly enough, just as evenings aproach, the cauldron rises about 30 metres above the ground.

What's so special?

Well, in all the years, the cauldron could be found standing as a huge fixture on the ground. Generally, the cauldron used to be situated near the main stadium.

However, this wasn't the case this time. This time the cauldron hovered in the sky. This makes Paris the very first host to float an air-bourne cauldron. That's what made the cauldron this time special.

History

It is Mathieu Lehanneur, a French designer who created the cauldron. The inspiration was that of a hot air balloon.

The designer believes that the torch, the torch relay cauldron, and the Olympic cauldron aren't distinct entities actually. Rather they are elements of a unified narrative. Each of these elements is symbolic of the essence of the Paris Games. The cauldron takes the form of a ring of fire suspended above a liquid surface. Both pure and magical, it seems to float and is reflected in its metallic base. If the torch is a sacred fire that is passed on, the cauldron is the object around which we gather and which unites our energies", he further added.

 Interestingy, the caudrn is a tribute given t Joseh-Michel Montgolfier and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, the brothers and pioneers in designing hot air balloons. The two belonged to a family consisting of 16 children. The father of the family was an owner of the paper factories in the south France. The father supported and funded the brothers' experiments.

How is the design of the cauldron?

Methieu Lehanneur designed the cauldron for Paris 2024. The cauldron is 30 metres high. The ring of fire, which is the diameter of the cauldron is seven metres. It is the ring of fire where the Olympic fire burns. The ring of fire symbolizes fraternity.

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Location of the cauldron

It is the Jardin des Tuleries, near Louvre, La Concorde, and te Arc de Triomphe where the cauldron is located. What's special about the location is the fact that this is the place from where the Montgolfier brothers had afloat their very first hot air ballooon in the year 1783. 

Are there other special factors?

Yes. The Olympic cauldron is lit by elecrtricity and not fossil fuels. This is because the aim of the Games is to go climate-friendly. There are 200 high-pressure misting nozzles and 40 LED lights who give the appearance of a new fire.

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