Sunday 8 November 2009

Jobs at Telegraph

Send your comments on Clive's blog posts to clivecomments@aol.com

Why do we need an Olympic torch anyway?

Friday, 28th March 2008

Most of us tend to assume it's part of the timeless tradition? No, it's just a Nazi relic, says Mary Beard:

Hardly any commentator stops to mention that this silly torch ceremony has nothing to do with the ancient Greeks, and was really invented to be a magnificent shot in Leni Riefenstahl’s movie (choreographed by Carl Diem). This is one of Hitler’s most pervasive legacies.

Incidentally, if you're a connoisseur of Heathrow stories, Beard also has an eyewitness account of the chaos down west London way.

Blogs: Martin Bright | Alex Massie | Melanie Phillips | Coffee House | Faith Based

Actions: Print this article  |  Email to a friend  |  Permalink  

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

About Clive Davis

Search this blog

Clive Davis blog archive

sponsored links

Spectator recommends

Spectator classifieds

      GASCONY

GASCONY, SW France, near Condom-en-Armagnac 13th Century stone house, 21st Century luxury for 12 in 5 en-suites. 50 acres +

BIG SAND STEEL BAND

IF YOU ARE PLANNING A CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION and looking for some light entertainment, you can now hire London's busiest steel

BOSC LEBAT, Tarn et Garonne.

BOSC LEBAT, SW France. Only 45 minutes from Toulouse Airport with daily flights from most provincial airports avoiding the horrors