Sochi Olympic Torch Burns Organizers Again

Radio Free Europe, Andy Heil, October 23, 2013

While deadspin.com's characterization of our coverage of the early woes of Russia's Sochi Olympic torch relay as "gleeful" was grossly unfair (I mean, obviously, right?!), I just can't resist sharing this video of the latest torch fail.

Recall that the flame died out in the hands of a truly great Soviet Armenian hero (in and out of the pool) as he jogged through the gates of the Kremlin on October 6, the first day of the 65,000-kilometer relay.

Then video after video showed the torch flickering out along its route in the capital despite fairly tame weather conditions and due care from torchbearers.

But the two weeks since have been quiet, to the relief of executives and scientists at the factory that made the torches, a facility that also manufactures submarine and rocket parts.

Until this awkward moment in front of a crowd at a torch ceremony in the city of Kostroma:​

Here's a Reuters video tour of the torch factory from this past summer.

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