The Olympic torch 2000 was designed from the shape of the Sydney Opera House, the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the curve of a boomerang. It has three layers made of different metals representing earth, fire and water. It has a burning flame in the middle. The flame has to be kept alight all the time.
The Olympic flame must be safe, burn brightly, be environmentally friendly and be able to survive any weather.
The torch flame was lit by the sun's rays in Greece and was carried around the world to tell all athletes that the Olympic Games would begin soon.
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The flame came to New Zealand for the first time in June. Lots of New Zealanders carried the flame around New Zealand. They each had their own torch. They were part of the Olympic Torch Relay.
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These people are exchanging the flame from one torch to the other.
In Australia the torch was carried under the water.
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The torch weighs just over one kilogram and is 72 centimetres tall. The canister of fuel will burn for 20 minutes and used fuel canisters and leftover fuel will be recycled.
The entry of the flame into the Olympic Stadium marks the start of the games. It is carried by a runner to the cauldron where it will stay alight all the time the games are on. When the games are finished the flame is extinguished.