Olympic flame route revealed by London 2012 committee
07.11.2011
The route for the Olympic Torch Relay, which will cover 1,000 cities, towns and villages across Britain and Northern Ireland between 18 May and 27 July next year, was announced today by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).
The Olympic flame, which will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers, will travel to within 10 miles of 95pc of the UK population in the course of the relay. Every county in England and every Local Authority area in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will host the Flame. A range of well known landmarks, including Snowdon, Stormont, Loch Ness and Stonehenge, will be visited by the Olympic flame. The street-by-street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.
“Now everyone is invited to plan their welcome and find out where they can go to be part of this historic occasion,” said LOCOG chair, Seb Coe. “The Olympic Games are coming to you as the Olympic flame gives our people and places their moment to shine.”
The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, will start at Land’s End on 19 May 2012. The flame will then travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK before it reaches London. It is planned that the flame will travel down the River Thames on 27 July 2012 as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony.
“When the Olympic Flame arrives here in the UK on 18 May next year it will mark the final countdown to the greatest sporting event the country will host in our lifetime,” said Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.
“The flame’s journey is steeped in the rich history of the Olympic Games, travelling from Athens then right around the UK. I encourage everyone to get out and take part in the excitement of the Torch Relay as it comes through their town.”
According to LOCOG, the flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational torchbearers, each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.