In less than a week, the sparking of a hydrogen flame will open the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Kallanish reports.

The historic shift to hydrogen for the Olympic flame highlights the fuel’s increasing prominence in the global energy arena, according to the Olympic Committee. 

When the decision to use a hydrogen blend - as pure hydrogen emits a colorless, not-very-photogenic flame - was announced in January, the committee said sustainability has been put “at the heart of its operations.”

“It is one symbolic step further for Tokyo 2020 [sic] by using hydrogen as fuel for the cauldron and the torch. It will include hydrogen produced in a renewable energy sourced production facility in Namie-Machi, Fukushima Prefecture, embodying it with further significance as a new energy for a future full of hope,” the committee said. “These initiatives symbolise the overall effort being made to promote and practice sustainability in the preparations for and operation of the Tokyo 2020 Games. They will also help to convey to the world the progress towards recovery being made by the disaster-hit areas in the Tohoku region.”

Additionally, 500 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be present at the Olympics. The games were pushed back by a year due to the Covid-19 crisis. 

New energy strategies - and, lurking in the background, climate change - have been themes woven into this year’s Olympics from the state. 

Two years and a month prior to the start date of the 2021 Olympics and 125 years from the establishment of the Olympic Committee, the Olympic House was opened on 23 June, 2019. The building in Lausanne, Switzerland, was described by the committee as “one of the most sustainable buildings in the world.”

“When we set out on this project to construct a new home, we wanted it to be more than just another office building,” said committee president Thomas Bach at the grand opening. “At the same time, we wanted Olympic House to incorporate the elements of sustainability, credibility and youth – the same three pillars of Olympic Agenda 2020 [sic]. The building reflects these three elements that are so central to our mission.”