In theory the Olympic torch is never supposed to be extinguished on it’s route from Athens to the Games’ host city. As relays get more ambitious this has become more difficult and allowances have been made for the occasional slip up.
In October alone the torch went out 44 times including 8 times in the first week. The first instance occurred minutes after Putin had handed the torch over to the first carrier. Luckily a security guard was on hand to revive the torch with his cigarette lighter.