The olympic torch is kept alight by being fed a combustable liquid which it then ignites.
Yes they can. And to make sure they are authentic they are told not to wipe the soot off the torch. The carbon stain authenticates the fact the torch was lit and used in the relay.
Is Doesn't Always Stay Alight, Sometimes It Blows Out
Long time ago. yes
Yes, if they pay around $300. They also disable the torch from ever being lit again.
The torch had a special flare attached to the inside of it.