Friday Fun Fact: Olympic torch

The Olympic torch was lit in ancient Olympia this week amid protests, beginning an around-the-world relay that will culminate at the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics on August 8. The torch route covers more than 85,000 miles across 20 countries.

Keeping the torch lit at all times can be a challenge, especially in bad weather and on airplanes. Backup flames and cans of pressurized liquid fuel are always carried alongside the official torch, in case it goes out. And on airline flights, where open flames obviously are forbidden, the flame is usually stored inside an enclosed lamp.