Why is Paris Olympic cauldron with a unique hot air balloon design different than all cauldrons in Games' history

The Paris Olympic cauldron for the 2024 games has become a centre of attraction for all the right reasons. The main standout feature at first look is the unique design as it looks like a hot air balloon. Unveiled during the opening ceremony on July 26 when judoka Teddy Riner and track and field sprinter Marie-Jose Perec lit the base of the balloon, it raised high into the Parisian night sky mesmerising everyone who witnessed it.
 

The Olympic cauldron innovation

However, it is not just the hot air balloon design which makes the Paris Olympics cauldron different from others. In order to ensure there is no carbon footprint of the flame, its fuel source is not fossil fuels. It is a 100 per cent electric flame. EDF and designer Mathieu Lehanneur collaborated to make it possible in an attempt to take a step towards sustainable and environment conscious games.
 

The smoke effect of real flames has been achieved with the use of 200 high-pressure misting nozzles that produce a cloud of water vapour. The 40 LED lights at the base of the balloon give it a flame-like look.

Olympic cauldron is dynamic in nature

The Paris 2024 cauldron does not remain static either and changes position in morning and evening to make for stunning visuals. During the day, it remains static in the Tuileries Gardens. In the evening, it is raised 30 metre in the air. It reaches 60-metre high as the evening progresses. During the day it can be seen at eye level whereas when the sun sets, it rises up to become a beacon near the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre museum from sunset until 2 AM.

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Accessible to public

This time around the Paris 2024 cauldron is not isolated but accessible to people as well. It is open for public every day until September 8, 2024. People can access it via a free ticketing service. In a day, a total of 10,000 people can get free tickets to witness the unique Olympic cauldron.

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Historical location for Olympic cauldron

The place where the Paris Olympic cauldron is placed has a historic significance as well. From the same place, the Montgolfier brothers' first ever hot air balloon took flight in 1783. 
 

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