The most important symbol of the Olympic Games is the torch, which is derived from ancient Greek mythology, when Prometheus stole mystical flame from Zeus and bestowed it upon humankind in its time of greatest darkness. The Olympic torch represents the human drive to succeed and flourish, to spread a message of peace and hope for a prosperous future. Now, because of the dedication and hard work of four Camosun students, the BC Summer and Winter Games will feature a newly crafted torch, created through a partnership between Camosun Innovates and the BC Games Society.
Mechanical Engineering Technology student Lacey Reay was part of a team of four students who designed and manufactured the torch from concept through production as a capstone project. Reay says that the chance to be a part of the Games was something she never thought possible until now.
“Growing up as a student athlete, I was really aware of the BC Games, I just didn’t get to be a part of it, so it’s cool to see this come full circle for me, because this seems to be my chance,” she says. “Aside from that, this is a really cool opportunity to put my stamp on the industry, and it’s going to be used in games for 10 years to come, so that’s pretty cool.”
Reay says that some difficulties her team faced were designing a safe and reliable fuel source, as well as creating the iconic shape out of carbon fibre cleanly and consistently. However, she says that the challenges stemmed, for the most part, from the process of gaining experience in the industry.
“I think it was mostly just the learning curve as a student, and coming into the industry for the first time, and working on this project as the lead; it was quite an undertaking,” she says. “I got to work with so many people, and it’s just been such a ride already.”
Reay says that the new torch represents connection through community, and she hopes it serves as an inspiration for future students.
“We’re really hoping that it kind of embodies the spirit of sports, as well as community and inclusivity, within the communities that it gets passed through,” she says. “And I really hope that the capstone can be used as an example, an inspiration for students in the future. I’m really passionate about students finding their passion and pursuing it.”
The torch was designed in partnership with Indigenous artist Jamin Zuroski, who incorporated a cedar weave into the design, which harmonizes with the weave-like pattern of the carbon fibre shell.
“The other thing that I’m really hoping translates through the design is the carbon fibre and the cedar weave, they kind of work together,” says Reay. “When Jamin and I were working on that, we identified the fact that both of those materials are actually a textile, and so we worked to incorporate a traditional and a modern textile technology, so that we can kind of embody the beauty of the past, present, and future.”
Reay says that while the past year has been an intense challenge, she got through it with the help of her colleagues, whose input generated the intellectual diversity necessary to create a really dynamic, high-quality product.
“To say it’s been a year of reflection would be a bit of an understatement, but the cool thing is I haven’t had to do that reflection alone,” she says. “I’ve had a great team to support me through it, and that’s where you learn the most and you can grow the most, is when you have outside perspectives. With no perspectives, the only information is your own, and that doesn’t get you very far. That’s the point of college, right?”
The new torch will be christened at this year’s BC Summer Games in Prince George, being held from July 21 to 24.