Burning Bright: Lausanne 2020 Torch Tour lighting up Switzerland ahead of YOG

Since the traditional lighting ceremony was held in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens (Greece) on 17 September, the Youth Olympic flame has embarked on a four-month journey across Switzerland ahead of the start of the Winter YOG Lausanne 2020.

The Lausanne 2020 Torch Tour is currently visiting all 26 cantons in the host nation before reaching the Opening Ceremony on 9 January, giving members of the public the chance to view the Youth Olympic flame and enjoy the YOG experience.

Here, olympic.org looks at some of the highlights from the flame’s journey so far…

The Youth Olympic flame arrives in Switzerland!

The Youth Olympic flame arrived at Geneva International Airport on 18 September, where it was welcomed by representatives from the Canton of Vaud, the Canton of Geneva, the Cities of Lausanne and Geneva, the IOC, Lausanne 2020 and the Swiss National Olympic Committee. All of them were quick to highlight the universal message of peace and unity embodied by the Olympic flame and how the Torch Tour would help spread the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship throughout the country. “Now is our time,” said Virginie Faivre, President of Lausanne 2020. “Now we have the opportunity to share the spirit of the Olympics in every corner of our country. With a Torch Tour that will stop in all 26 cantons, we look forward to having every Swiss citizen, young and old, celebrating with us.”

3,000 schoolchildren welcome the flame to Lausanne

On 19 September, 3,000 students between the ages of 10 and 15 gathered at Lausanne’s Pierre de Coubertin Stadium to welcome the Youth Olympic flame to the Olympic Capital. The event brought together schoolchildren from each municipality within the Canton of Vaud. The children were presented with a Lausanne 2020 flag to highlight the unifying power of the YOG.

The flame reaches the Swiss capital

On 11 November, the Lausanne 2020 Torch Tour visited Bern, the capital of Switzerland, where a cauldron was lit by Pascal Bitschnau, a silver medallist in snowboard-cross at the Winter YOG Lillehammer 2016, and Jonas Hiller, a three-time Olympian in ice hockey. Together with Yodli, the official Lausanne 2020 mascot, they also posed in front of the Swiss Federal Palace.

Refugee athlete takes flame to United Nations

In October, during the Torch Tour’s visit to Geneva, Swiss marathon runner and Eritrean refugee Tadesse Abraham had the honour of carrying the Olympic flame to the United Nations offices at the Palais des Nations.

"When you start doing sport, then you have the dream to become an Olympian" ????

Let's get some hope from Tadesse Abraham (@run_tade), who arrived in Switzerland 15 years ago as a refugee. Sport has truly changed his life…he's now the fastest marathon runner of the country ?????? pic.twitter.com/qfwX4NlhlS

— Lausanne 2020 ?? Winter Youth Olympic Games ?????? (@lausanne2020) October 30, 2019

Zurich commuters wowed by flame visit

On 31 October, passengers at Zurich train station had the chance to enjoy the Lausanne 2020 Torch Tour, with the Olympic flame lighting up their regular journeys. Former European figure skating champion Sarah Meier and Olympic downhill champion Dominique Gisin were also on hand to light a cauldron in the station’s main hall, helping to highlight Lausanne 2020’s commitment to promoting the use of public transport during the YOG.

St Moritz welcomes the flame for the first time since 1948

In December, the Olympic flame returned to St Moritz for the first time since 1948 – when the Swiss resort hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Its visit coincided with the FIS Women's World Cup, with the flame being carried by Swiss skier and Olympic champion Sandro Viletta. St Moritz will, of course, also be playing a key role once the YOG get underway in January, as the venue for bobsleigh, luge, skeleton and speed skating events.