The original idea of the main torch for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics was directly rejected, and the "micro-fire" was not recognized for a while

Throughout the opening ceremonies of previous Olympic Games, how to ignite the main torch tower is often one of the most interesting and creative links. However, at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics on the evening of February 4, two torchbearers inserted the torch in their hands in the "big snowflake" and then the "big snowflake" slowly lifted off, and the world was surprised to realize that the Beijing Winter Olympics did not have a special main torch tower ignition ceremony. The team at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics also revealed afterwards that this was the "micro-fire" idea: "After the torch relay, everyone was looking forward to the lighting ceremony, but we actually stopped lighting ..."

According to China Youth Daily, Zhang Yimou, director of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, revealed that the main torch lighting plan of the "micro-fire" was initially not supported by the International Olympic Committee, and finally specially arranged for people to go to the International Olympic Committee to explain and persuade, and finally successfully obtained the consent of the other side.

"At the beginning of the ignition idea, we studied the previous Olympic Games, and in the early days we touched the torch and lit it, and later the countries tried their best to be creative." Chang Yu, director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee and director of the national stadium operation team, said. "In the beginning, the director of the art strategy wondered if he could turn fire into light." Chang Yu said, "Fire comes from the light, and we are on the spot, using the way of light to make a fire back." ”

This plan, which has no real fire, was directly rejected by the International Olympic Committee, "can not use electricity, can not use up, can not be replaced by anything." Then the director team devised a subversive "micro-fire" scheme. After thinking of this idea, Zhang Yimou reported to the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee and quickly received support. He began to wait nervously for whether the IOC would nod. "People have not been like you for a hundred years, which is inconsistent with the Olympic Charter, can he accept it?"

Beijing offered to use clean hydrogen energy as fuel, and the IOC agreed. But when it comes to making the fire small, they are a little hesitant. "The fire of the Olympic Games is to burn, and it cannot change the century-old tradition because of low carbon." Chang Yu recalled the IOC's worried voices. In order to persuade the IOC to agree to this plan, the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee decided to send someone to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Director Zhang Yimou recorded a video for a few minutes to explain the idea of micro-fire and the concept behind it to the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC is experienced and raises many detailed questions, such as whether a fire that is too small can be invisible? For example, during the Winter Olympics, does the nest without competition still have torches? If not, how do you feel that the torch is always there?

These details have now been solved one by one. In beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, there are torch towers, like urban sculptures, and people can approach it and take photos with it.

At the end of the communication, Chang Yu said that as a developing country, China's industrial structure and industrial base lead to relative energy consumption is not low. In this context, we would like to show the world our commitment to carbon reduction. "Let them know that we are not changing for the sake of change, but that we want to convey Chinese sense of responsibility to the world."

"Are you sure?" The IOC asked many times. Finally, after deliberate internal discussions, the IOC said that although this time it was very different from previous editions, "we support the approach of the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee." ”

Zhang Yimou breathed a sigh of relief, "They said that as long as there is fire, it will do."

"Whether you like it or not, the concept of low-carbon environmental protection it conveys is so clear." Zhang Yimou said.