LUMEN Summer 2020 - Flipbook - Page 22
As part of the University of Adelaide
team working on the design and build
of the fuel and combustion system
of the 2000 Sydney Olympic torch
and cauldron, Richard developed
something that created history and
was watched around the world.
“FCT Flames, the company we
worked with, like to say that Olympic
flames are the most watched
flames in history. It’s true. And
that's exciting.”
Watching the Official Opening
Ceremony from Adelaide, Richard
describes the time as stressful.
“I think maybe fear was possibly
the biggest thing. The fear that
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THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
something would go wrong.”
As Australian athlete Cathy Freeman
ascended the stairs, stood in the
middle of the cauldron and held the
torch up, millions of eyes were on
her, but Richard and the University
development team, which included
20 students, were literally counting
the seconds.
“We realised the torch was right at
the limit of its fuel.
“When Cathy lit the cauldron’s ring
of fire and stood up, if you watch, the
torch flame goes out soon after. So,
she was really down to the last few
moments. That was very stressful.
But in retrospect, the timing
was perfect.”
Following the success of the Sydney
Olympic Games, Richard and the
team also worked with FCT Flames
on the 2004 Athens Olympic torch
and cauldron and the 2006 Doha
Asian games.
It’s been 25 years since Richard
joined the University of Adelaide
and, with new projects on the horizon
with Swimming Australia, there are
many exciting days to come.
“I think it's useful to push the
boundaries too, and even go over
them every now and then, because
you learn what you can achieve.”
