Musicians Who’ve Carried the Olympic Torch: BTS’ Jin, John Legend & More

Over the decades, tens of thousands of people have served as torchbearers ahead of the biennial Olympic Games. And many of those carefully selected participants have been some of the world’s biggest musicians, from BTS’ Jin in 2024 to John Legend in 2012.  

In the past, Olivia Newton-John, Will.i.am, Loretta Lynn, Lance Bass, Mel C and more have all also accepted the honor of representing their countries by helping to transport the Olympic flame in an on-foot relay from Greece to the site of each Games, a practice that dates back to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The weather-resistant torches that carry the blaze look different each, boasting unique designs that represent the host country of any given year. At the end of the relay – which has included anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand torchbearers through the years – one final person lights the Olympic cauldron to signify the beginning of the historic contest, not to be extinguished until the Games have ended. 

“A modern invention inspired by practices from ancient Greece, the Olympic Torch Relay heralds the start of the Olympic Games and transmits a message of peace and friendship along its route,” reads the Olympics’ website.  

From pop stars to producers, instrumentalists and boy band stars, many a musician has helped carry on the torchbearing tradition of the Olympic Games. Keep reading to see which of your favorite artists have had a hand in Olympic history, plus photos of each star carrying the fateful flame, below.