Translation guide
The Olympic torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games, carried in a relay from Olympia to the host city. In Japanese, it is most commonly referred to as オリンピック聖火 (Olympic sacred fire), and the torch itself is 聖火トーチ. The relay is 聖火リレー.
Referring to the Olympic flame or the torch as a symbol of the Games.
The standard term for the Olympic flame. Literally 'Olympic sacred fire'. Used for the flame itself, the relay, and the cauldron.
オリンピック聖火がギリシャで採火された。
The Olympic flame was lit in Greece.
聖火リレーが始まった。
The torch relay has begun.
Short for オリンピック聖火. Commonly used in news headlines and when the context is clear.
聖火が日本に到着した。
The Olympic flame arrived in Japan.
Referring to the actual torch used in the relay.
The most specific term for the physical torch. Used in official contexts and news reports.
ランナーが聖火トーチを手に持って走った。
The runner ran holding the Olympic torch.
Commonly used when the context is clearly about the Olympics. Can also mean a generic torch.
次のランナーにトーチを渡した。
He passed the torch to the next runner.
Referring to the event or process of carrying the flame.
The standard term for the Olympic torch relay.
聖火リレーは全国を巡る。
The torch relay travels around the country.
聖火 (seika) means 'sacred fire' and refers to the flame itself. トーチ (tōchi) is the physical object. In English, 'torch' can mean both, but in Japanese they are distinct. If you want to talk about the flame, use 聖火; if you mean the stick-like object, use トーチ or 聖火トーチ.