Five Rings Torch Relay

Each team carries its Olympic torch around a course with five colored rings; at every ring, the whole team completes a challenge before handing the torch to the next runner. Students practice relay running, baton passing, and teamwork to beat their own time.

How to play

1. Mark a course of about 400 ft with five stations, each with a hoop in an Olympic color and a challenge card. At the end place a bucket or a large cone as the cauldron (4 min).
2. Form 5 teams of 5. Each team has a baton with colored ribbons tied on as a flame and starts at a different ring so teams don't bunch up.
3. Explain and practice the baton pass: the receiver waits with an open hand reaching back, and the passer places the baton upward into it (3 min).
4. The first runner carries the torch to the next ring, where the team waits. Everyone completes the challenge (10 passes without a drop, 5 synchronized jumps…) and the torch goes to the next runner.
5. After the fifth ring, the torch reaches the cauldron and the team leaves its ribbons there as a flame. The teacher records the time (6 min per lap).
6. Run the course a second time, trying to beat your own time, not other teams' (11 min).

Rules

• The baton is always handed off, never thrown.
• The whole team completes each ring's challenge before moving on.
• Run outside the cones so you don't cut across other teams.
• Each team competes only against its own time.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair runs an adapted leg and lights the cauldron at the end.
• Autism: preview the course with a drawing of the rings and their order.
• Fitness level: legs have different lengths and the team decides who runs each one.

Learning goals

• Pass a baton safely and efficiently while running.
• Work with the team to complete shared challenges.
• Learn the meaning of the Olympic torch and rings.

Equipment for a class of 25

• batons: 5
• hoops: 5
• challenge cards: 5
• colored ribbons: 25
• cones: 20

Teacher tip

This works great as the opening ceremony of an end-of-year field day. Explain what the five rings stand for beforehand and let each team pick a made-up country name.

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