Torch relay

The Barcelona’’92 Olympic Torch followed a route that emulated Catalonia’’s Greek history. In keeping with tradition, it left Olympia on 5 June 1992 for Empúries, the first Greek colony on the Iberian Peninsula, located near the municipality of L’’Escala. Advantage was taken of this to restore not only the complex of historic ruins of that first settlement, but also a coastal footpath, where a memorial monument is located.

From Empúries, the Torch began its journey across Spain, first westwards via the northern part of the country towards Galicia, then southwards to Madrid and Extremadura. After reaching the south of Spain, it followed the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia before finally arriving in Barcelona.

The design of the Torch, safety lamp and resting cauldrons was commissioned to André Ricard in August 1989. The technical team in charge of Torch logistics gradually increased in number to 170 people at the time of the relay.

The relay route was 5,940km long (4,450km on foot and 1,490km by bike), which had to be completed in 43 days. It went through 652 towns and cities and did not take in any motorways. The outcome was a total of 9,484 relays, 599 of which were done by bike.

Of the total number of torchbearers, 50% had to be Olympic volunteers across Spain. The remaining torchbearers were chosen by the councils of the towns and cities the Torch journeyed through and by the companies sponsoring the route, though some relays were set aside for people who specifically asked to become involved. The Olympic volunteers received a copy of the Torch as a gift, whereas the remaining torchbearers could purchase one at cost price.