Traditionally, leading up to the Olympic Games, there’s a tradition of carrying the Olympic torch. Furthermore, tradition dictated that the torchbearers would have the option to keep their torch. However, this year, in Paris 2024, that won’t be the case, and the Olympic torchbearers will not be keeping the torch.

The reason for this decision is that only 2,000 torches have been manufactured, while the number of torchbearers exceeds 10,000. As compensation, they will receive a ring as a keepsake. The explanation for not manufacturing more torches has been for an environmental reason.

each torchbearer @Paris2024 to receive this elegant ring as a memento but only 2000 torches made. Has a trick been missed with intangible legacy? in previous years countless schoolchildren inspired by the opportunity to hold an actual Olympic torch, not this time. pic.twitter.com/WBjkfnsIRv

— Philip Barker (@pbarkersport) May 9, 2024

Interestingly, this also happened at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, also in France.