Sochi Threads The Needle

The new year launched with surreal family and friend news. Happy to celebrate my mother's 70th birthday last week, yet sad to learn of close friends' first child born is in urgent need of a liver transplant. Oh, and my sister's next door neighbor in Oklahoma City was shot and killed in front of their houses. The icing: Volvo's due for another round of repairs. Sheesh!

So today's news from Sochi -- the unveiling of the 2014 Winter Olympic Torch -- brought some much needed comic relief. Some questions filled my brain in the initial moments viewing the design:

-- Were the designers eating candy canes?
-- Did they employ a former seamstress on the design team?
-- Were they high on Maria Sharapova's new "Sugarpova" candy?
-- Are they looking for Sochi Olympic Torch Relay runners to play lacrosse with snowballs?

In spite of my sarcastic inquiries, I do like the design. It's sleek and stylish, and reminds me of the curvy and cool contraption used for the Torino 2006 Olympic Torch, designed by auto engineers with a Ferrari mindset.

I think the Russians picked a winner that will stand out in the Olympic Museum torch trophy cases for the ages. And the red and white design is clean and warm.

I was careful not to read other reviews of the torch design, but it won't surprise me if it takes a few negative hits. It will be interesting to see the flame exchanges and how the soot licks the "eye of the needle" that tops the design (for some who carry the torch, the soot is like a fingerprint for the runners few moments in time carrying the flame).

Looking at the official press release, it appears the shape is inspired by a feather of a firebird from Russian folklore. Interesting.

Please post comments -- what is your take on the Sochi Olympic torch design? With the massive Olympic Torch Relay route set for Sochi, a lot of people are going to see it. Which one is going to get their snow ball through it first?

Photos via Sochi.ru