London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay
Adur and Worthing has been chosen as a host location and extends an invitation to its people to welcome the Olympic Flame on 16th July 2012.
Adur and Worthing are two areas out of 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in Sussex to devise the route.
The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.
In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population. In fact, over 95% of the population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.
People are invited to view the interactive map at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap to find their nearest community through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.
On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Olympic 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.
You can see the full invitation press release here.
Adur & Worthing Councils now wants local organisations to get in touch with their plans for the 2012 Olympics.
Both councils will coordinate the information, whether from schools, community organisations and clubs and see where it can offer help and advice i.e. road closures, health and safety, insurance etc.
So if you want to line the streets for the Flame, plant for 2012, hold a sports quiz or light a lantern for the Flame Festival we want to know! All you need to do is contact Clare Mangan (Regeneration Manager) on 01273 263066 or email on clare.mangan@adur-worthing.gov.uk.
London 2012 has issued some guidance to help people get ready to celebrate and make the Games local – just visit www.London2012.com/localleaders to find out more and become a local leader yourself!
