The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) revealed Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby’s prototype for the London 2012 Olympic Torch on Wednesday 8 May.

Barber Osgerby’s winning design is a triangular gold-coloured form standing 800mm high.

It features an inner and outer aluminium alloy skin, held in place by a cast top piece and base.

8,000 circles perforate the skin of the torch, in honour of the 8,000 torchbearers who will perform the relay.

“Ever since we were young we have loved the Olympic Games. As designers, this is quite simply the best project going: to design an icon for the Games. We’ve wanted to be involved since July 2005 when we were celebrating winning the bid with the rest of the UK,” said Barber Osgerby in their statement.

“We have worked hard to develop a torch that celebrates the Relay, and reflects the passion for London and the Olympic Games. We wanted to make the most of pioneering production technologies and to demonstrate the industrial excellence available in the UK – it’s a torch for our time. This is our opportunity to represent the UK, in design terms, and we are incredibly proud to be doing so.”

Mass production of the torches will begin later this year.

Barber Osgerby
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